After two years without an in-person event, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival will return to race on Little Lake at Del Crary Park on Saturday, June 11th, organizers announced on Tuesday (March 29).
The annual fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation was cancelled during the first year of the pandemic and held a virtual event in 2021.
Registration for the 21st edition, which raises funds for breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment at PRHC, will open at 12:01 a.m. on Friday (April 1). The first three teams to register will win a free extra practice in a dragon boat on Little Lake.
“We are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all attendees and we have been working hard to update our safety protocols to incorporate provincial and local public health guidelines and recommendations,” says festival chair Michelle Thornton in a media release.
“Many of our participants and supporters have loved ones who are undergoing active cancer treatments which make them immunocompromised,” she adds. “Although not mandated, enhanced protocols such as masking in crowded areas may still apply in order to help keep our most vulnerable citizens safe.”
Since its inception in 2001, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has raised over $3.7 million — including over $95,000 at last year’s virtual event.
“The last few years have been quite challenging for our team but we are resilient and have managed to keep the team active and the festival alive,” says Marg Walsh, president of the festival host Survivors Abreast Team. “We are inspired by the enthusiasm the community has already shown and can’t wait to once again welcome everyone to such a worthy and important fundraising event as we continue to work hard to ensure everyone from across our region has access to world-class breast cancer care.”
Lesley Heighway, president and CEO of PRHC Foundation, says the number of patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area who rely on PRHC for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment continues to climb.
“Proceeds of the 2022 festival will allow PRHC to invest in new state-of-the-art equipment and technology to serve more cancer patients, support earlier cancer diagnosis, and provide safer, more effective treatments,” she explains.
For the 21st year, Kawartha Credit Union will return as the festival’s presenting sponsor in 2022.
“Being the platinum sponsor of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival allows us to provide financial support while also participating in a fun event that unites Peterborough and our surrounding areas in a common goal to improve local health care resources,” says Kawartha Credit Union president and CEO Norah McCarthy.
Many of the features at the festival from prior to the pandemic are returning in 2022, organizers say.
The Dragon’s Lair, Loft, and Nest — a luxurious tent experience and added perks for the top three fundraising teams — is back, as is the flower ceremony that will be open to the community at large to honour their loved ones.
The One Stop Dragon Boat Shop will be available online leading up to race day and in person on race day, the Family Fun Zone will offer activities and crafts to keep the whole family entertained, and The Thirsty Dragon beer garden will be open The Vendor Village Market will feature more than 40 vendors, including food vendors, from Modern Makers Market.
New this year is a “FundRacing” division for teams or individuals who are not able to participate in person but still want to support the festival and make use of the fundraising tools available to those who register, with prizes also available for the top fundraisers in this division.
For more information and to register for the 2022 Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival, visit www.ptbodragonboat.ca.
