Big thank you

Dear editor:
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival committee and board.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the communities and people of Fort Frances and International Falls for making our third-annual festival such an outstanding success.
A lot of fun and camaraderie was had by all who attended, particularly those enthusiastic paddlers!
This event could not have achieved without the assistance of both the Fort Frances and International Falls mayors and councils, and their respective team captains, Andrew Hallikas and Cynthia Jacksa.
Not only were they both extremely supportive, but they were game enough to paddle in a “grudge” match and entered into the spirit of the day to the delight of all the spectators.
I even heard that a number of councillors really enjoyed the team spirit that was achieved and will participate again next year.
This kind of collaborative endeavour only can make our communities stronger.
Dragon boat festivals are a huge success across North America and, indeed, the world. The events bring in hundreds of visitors to the host communities.
We now have the foundation of an international event—our geographical location makes us unique and it only remains for us to build year over year until the International Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival becomes one of the largest tourist attractions in Northwestern Ontario/northern Minnesota.
Our joint communities had a really hard start to the summer with appalling weather and floods, which, of course, caused the cancellation of the original Canada Day date.
The Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival committee had many misgivings regarding a new date, particularly as we had to wait until we had the all clear from the Emergency Measures Committee, which was not received until the end of July.
So in a little less than three weeks, the festival was pulled together.
This extraordinary achievement could not have been accomplished without the help of numerous volunteers and, of course, the many sponsors.
The vibrant heart of our communities was truly on display!
Thank you again.
(Signed),
Annely Armstrong-Thorstad
for the Boundary
Waters Dragon Boat
Festival committee