Joey Payeur
The fifth-annual International Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Sorting Gap Marina after getting postponed from its original June 25 date after an overnight storm left the site in ruins.
But the push is on to find enough bodies willing and able to make it the grandest event possible.
“The No. 1 priority right now is getting teams signed up,” said festival co-organizer Annely Armstrong-Thorstad.
Six teams currently are signed up, but those teams all still require individual paddlers to fill their boats.
Eight teams were registered before June 25, but three have dropped out for various reasons.
At least 10 paddlers are needed for a team, with a minimum of five females, at a cost of $650 per team.
“We need to cover the costs of the new date and are looking to also raise funds for Fort Frances Community Living,” explained Armstrong-Thorstad.
“It’s frustrating and heart-breaking that we were devastated like we were in June.”
The postponement could have been even more of a headache if it wasn’t for the generosity exhibited locally, Armstrong-Thorstad noted.
“We have market-style tents for any on-site vendors to rent for $20, that we put up and take down for them, that Kemira and Sunset Dynasty Construction purchased for our festival to replace some of the tents we lost during the storm in June,” she said.
“Vendors can still book a free spot and/or bring their own tent if they’d like.
“The only thing we ask is that they raise money for a local charity at their booth, whether it be through the sale of a specific item, percentage of sales, collect food items, or simply by having a donation jar at their booth,” she added.
All teams entered will vie for the overall festival championship trophy and medals, but there are some side battles that either will be or could be waged.
The two teams being entered by New Gold will take on one from Kemira for the Manufacturer’s Cup, with other manufacturing company teams invited to join the group of competitors.
As well, in tribute to the club’s recreational team recently winning the Civic Cup at the Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival last month, there will be a Civic Cup division for any teams that indicate they want to be part of that group upon registering.
That trophy will go to the fastest team in the group in the first heat.
Meanwhile, the MNRF team and the OPSEU Otters are hoping to have a third team from a public service group, or even the Canadian or American border patrol, to join in to create a Government Cup division.
The call also has gone out from organizers for any groups, such as fastball teams or local banks, to enter teams and challenge their in-town rivals of a similar sports or business background.
Plaques also will be awarded for Best Team Look, which will be voted on by the public at the registration tent, as well as Best Team Camp and Best Team Name.
As well, each paddler will receive a participation bag for registering that will include coupons or trial-sized items donated by local businesses.
Armstrong-Thorstad said there are numerous reasons for people to give dragon boating a try.
“Dragon boat is an excellent team-building and fundraising event,” she noted.
“Our sister events in our circuit are doing very well.
“We are the new kids on the block and have spent the last year learning a lot,” she added.
“Our club is now well-established and now our foundation is up and running smoothly.
“We have the volunteers we need, marketing now developed, and we are looking to partner with an organization to raise some serious funds next year,” Armstrong-Thorstad stressed.
“The goal is to have a partner on each side of the border so that we can essentially have two fundraising events in one—one on each side of the border at the same time,” she explained.
“But first, we need the community’s support to end this year on a positive note and help us support [Fort Frances] Community Living.”
Armstrong-Thorstad was clear anyone worried about whether they have the athleticism to take part in dragon boating shouldn’t fret.
“Anyone can dragon boat at just about any fitness level,” she remarked.
“It is such a family-friendly and inclusive sport unlike any other.”
Those wanting to register can do so by Sunday (Sept. 11) at www.boundarywatersdragonboat.com/registration
