FESTIVALS
The sa国际传媒 Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival this weekend promises to be one of the summer's more colourful and vibrant events.
Spectators to the three-day event will be treated to the sight of 80 dragon boat teams from across North America racing on a 500-metre course in the Inner Harbour.
The team to beat is Victoria's Gorging Dragons, last year's winners in the mixed category.
"This year we will be having the first open division," said Mark Grey-Dreaper, festival chairman. "That means it will be the first time we shall see all-men teams."
In the past, there was only a mixed division, where there had to be at least eight women in the boat. Each dragon boat generally has between 16 and 20 paddlers, one drummer and one person to steer.
Friday's 1 p.m. eye-dotting ceremony of the dragon boats officially starts the 18th year of the festival. Over three days, the festival is expected to attract about 80,000 spectators.
Along with the races, there will be a number of activities at Ship Point, including live music by local bands, a children's tent, a multicultural food fair and a beer garden.
This year, organizers will collect compostible food waste. A night market takes place on Friday night. People can also sign up for free walking tours of Chinatown.
When the rowing teams are not competing on the water, they will do so on stage at the Paddlers' Party and air band competition on Saturday night.
Proceeds from the event benefit the sa国际传媒 Cancer Foundation.
Last year, more than $103,000 was raised through the festival, pledges, donations and other charitable initiatives.
Admission is free.
The festival starts at 1 p.m. Friday.
Races take place from 8: 30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. Saturday, and 8: 30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Entertainment is from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 8: 30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8: 30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour.
For more information, go to victoriadragonboat.com.
