Staff report

The Seventh Annual Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at The Shrine Club on High Rock Lake (6480 Long Ferry Road in Salisbury). Team entries, corporate sponsorships and vendor opportunities are still open for the event.

The Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival is the largest annual spectator event held on High Rock Lake. The festival includes vendors, food trucks and activities for the whole family in a park-like atmosphere. More than 5,000 attendees are expected this year to watch as more than 30 teams compete in multiple dragon boat races over a 300-meter course. This is a free event to spectators.

The 2020 Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival event chair is Daniel Matangira and he is ready for his new role with the event. “The dragon boat festival instills team building, family fun and clean competition,” said Matangira. “Rowan County, this is exciting event and we encourage you to come out. I’ll admit it, I have tasted victory last year with our Matangira Recycling & Cardinal Tire/Gator Bites team and can’t wait to defend our team’s championship. As a local small business owner, this event promotes a true sense of community and is a fundraiser to enhance the chamber’s resources for small businesses of Rowan County. I am extremely proud of how our community supports this festival from food trucks and local breweries to our residents venturing out to the lake to look at what all of the excitement is about.”

Event title sponsors showcase major employers in Rowan County with Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and Trinity Senior Services of Rowan. Past sponsors have included an assortment of Rowan County based businesses including Hotwire Communications, Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine; Rowan County Tourism Development Authority; Salisbury Post; Atrium Health; Duke Energy; Fisher Realty, Inc.; and High Rock Lake Association. Additional corporate sponsorships are available for the summer event by calling the Rowan Chamber at 704-633-4221.

“Rowan Chamber business leaders are excited to present the seventh annual Dragon Boat Festival. We recognize that these are trying times; however, we need to plan now for a successful event on July 25. We want everyone to think about summer fun on High Rock Lake, great team building and celebrating how well this community came together during difficult times.” said Elaine Spalding, Rowan Chamber president.

Besides the actual competition of the colorful dragon boat races, food vendors will be joined by Cheerwine and Salisbury-based breweries and vineyards.

There will be entertainment during the lunch break with a drummer’s parade and heads/tails game. A raffle for water sports equipment and other prizes will be awarded at the end of the day.

For more information, contact the chamber at 704-633-4221, email info@rowanchamber.com or go to www.rowanchamberdragonboat.org .