There Will Be Dragons

by

For spectators, the dragon boat races next to Barker’s Island in Superior might look like a mass of arms and paddles, swirling and splashing. But it soon gets easier to tell the teams apart as some boats pull ahead.

Grab a spot on the bridge from the mainland to the island (others will have the same idea) and the long boats come right at you. There are other good vantage points, many in the shade.

The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in August is one of Superior’s biggest annual events, drawing thousands, but it’s really a Twin Ports celebration. The fundraising event is organized and hosted by Harbortown Rotary of Duluth and, in Superior, the Superior Rotary Club 40 and Superior Sunrise Centennial Rotary Club.

Handled by volunteers, the races are all about fundraising. Since 2002, the first year, more than $750,000 has gone to Essentia Health Foundation, the event’s charitable partner, for cancer care and research programs. That includes $75,000 in 2014.

On top of that, the festival has raised more than $1 million for local charitable organizations like Bethany Crisis Shelter, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Hartley Nature Center, Northland Red Cross and Northland Children’s Services.

Last year, 88 teams with about 2,200 people competed in the races. This year the rotary clubs’ goals are to get “100 boats in the water” and raise $97,000, says Mitchell Diers, co-chair of the 2015 festival.

Races run through Saturday morning and afternoon, but things get underway Friday night. The opening ceremonies, when teams march in carrying flags and sporting different costumes or jersies is fun to see. The evening then heads into live music and fireworks – all free. Music this year is by the Lake City Smokin’ Section, a Duluth group that plays blues and classic rock.

One local veteran team is the Douglas County Blazing Saddles, consisting of Douglas County and Superior city employees, along with friends and family members. Tracy Ruppe, a co-captain, helps organize the team and has been a paddler and drummer. She likes to take part for a simple reason – “It’s fun!” and to help the great cause. Tracy recommends spectators who can’t stay all day do come for the afternoon finals. “That’s the most exciting part. … Those races are so close with who wins.”

Each boat has 20 paddlers (eight must be women), a drummer up front and a person who steers. Registration is $900 per team. Dragon boats, paddles and life jackets are provided.

“It’s fun to go over by Barker’s Island to mingle with the teams and see their tents and all of the activities that go on in the periphery,” Mitchell says. “There are vendors selling food, beer, water and wine. A lot of that money goes to charity as well. The boneless ribs on a stick were a favorite of a lot of people.”

And, of course, there will be dragons.