The deadline for team registration is Friday, July 24, for the second annual Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Shrine Club on High Rock Lake, 6480 Long Ferry Road. Title sponsors are Trinity Oaks/Lutheran Services Carolinas and Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

“The Rowan Chamber is excited to bring this fun event back to our community for the second year,” said Ann Pressly of Trinity Oaks, chair of the Dragon Boat Festival Committee. “It highlights our quality of life with abundant water resources, friendly people and unique team building opportunities for businesses!”

Over 20 teams have already registered and just a few spots are left.

Organizers anticipate a crowd of more than 1,500 attendees. The event is free to attend; however, no coolers or pets will be allowed.

There will be Dragon Boat races; food vendors; Cheerwine and United Beverages of NC (Miller Beer) products available for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and make it a lake party.

Dragon Boat racing dates back to a more than 2,300 year-old-tradition from ancient China. Sleek, 45-foot boats donning dragon heads, tails and scales seat 20 paddlers each. A drummer sits in the bow pounding the beat of the paddlers’ stroke, and a steersperson stands in the stern guiding the team down the race course.

The chamber’s partners at High Five Dragon Boat will provide each team with the necessary equipment (boat, paddles, life vests). Teams will learn how to paddle during an introductory practice session (included in team registration fee). Each team will provide 20 paddlers; a minimum of eight must be female, and a drummer. On race day each team will race in three heats on a 350m straight course.

A briefing for anyone interested in forming a team ​will be held at 4 p.m. today at the Gateway Building, 204 E. Innes St. For more information, please contact the Rowan Chamber at 704.633.4221 or info@rowanchamber.com or www.rowanchamberdragonboat.com