ROWAN COUNTY — Prepare for a wave of excitement.

The 10th Annual Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival is returning to High Rock Lake on Saturday and you won’t want to miss out on the fun. Grab friends and family and come join the excitement at the lake’s biggest event of the year. 

The Dragon Boat Festival is the chamber’s annual small business fundraiser, and this year, 5,000 spectators and competitors are expected to attend. With the thrilling dragon boat races, delicious food and drinks and lively entertainment, it’s the ultimate summer event for the whole family. This event is free for attendees.

The festival will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Rowan Shrine Club, located at 6480 Long Ferry Road in Salisbury. The dragon boat races will run throughout the day until the concluding awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. There are 30 dragon boat teams competing in this year’s festival.

Parking is available for $5 in the lots adjacent to the Shrine Club, with proceeds benefiting the East Rowan High School football team. Additional parking is provided on Hedrick Lambe Drive, with trolleys and van shuttles transporting attendees to and from the Shrine Club.

In addition to the dragon boat races, the festival features a variety of exhibitors and vendors. Food options include Carter Craft Meats & BBQ, Hot Dog Shack, Kreyol Flavors, Kona Ice, Stick It 2 You, Belly Soul Food, High Rock Lake Kettle Corn and Teriyaki Chicken, with beverages from New Sarum Brewing, Cheerwine, United Beverage and Mean Mug. There are also several exhibitor businesses at the event.

Top sponsors for this year’s festival include Novant Health, Trinity Oaks and Rowan Tourism Development Authority.

Entertainment will be provided by Livingstone College’s WLJZ 107.1 radio station, with station manager Mz. Good Newz offering commentary. Doug Rice, president of Performance Racing Network, will call the races live and broadcast them on 107.1.

Each dragon boat will be piloted by 20 paddlers, a steersperson and a team drummer or mascot. The boats will race in three heats down a 300-meter course, with individual races lasting between two and 3.5 minutes. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division, with an overall champion crowned at the end. 

Pan Am Dragon Boat is providing the race equipment and training the competitions on Thursday and Friday before the races.

“The Rowan Chamber would like to thank our sponsors, teams, vendors, volunteers and staff,” Chamber President Elaine Spalding said. “This 10-year Dragon Boat Festival has allowed us to show our appreciation to our loyal partners who have helped us grow this event. From our first Chair, Ann Pressly, to this year’s chair, Daniel Matangira, we have been blessed with the best leaders.”

The Rowan Chamber encourages visitors to bring lawn chairs and blankets. However, no pets, coolers or outside food are allowed at the event.

Learn more at rowanchamber.com.