Rowan County Chamber of Commerce

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce is inviting anyone interested in having a team in the second annual Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival to attend a briefing on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Gateway Building at 204 E. Innes St.

The Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Shrine Club on High Rock Lake at 6480 Long Ferry Road. Title sponsors are Trinity Oaks 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, chairwoman 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.”

There are spots for 30 teams and organizers anticipate a crowd of over 1,500 attendees. The event is free to attend; however, no coolers or pets will be allowed. There will be music, food and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and make it a fun lake party.

Dragon Boat racing dates back to a more than 2,300 year old tradition from ancient China. The sleek boats, 45 feet long, donned with dragon heads, tails and scales, have seats for 20 paddlers. A drummer sits in the bow pounding the drum to the beat of the paddlers’ stroke, and a steersperson stands in the stern guiding the team down the race course.

Our partners, High Five Dragon Boat, will provide each team with all 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.

For more information, please contact the Rowan Chamber at 704.633.4221 or info@rowanchamber.com or www.rowanchamberdragonboat.com