Paddles up! The community is invited to the seventh annual Saint Martin’s University Dragon Boat Festival at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza on Saturday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This free, fun, family-oriented celebration features dragon-boat racing, multi-ethnic cultural performances, and a community boardwalk showcasing local organizations and traditional arts and crafts.
Since its inauguration in 2006, the festival has grown into a major South Sound community event, drawing thousands of spectators. Every year the field of competition has grown and this year is no exception. The 2012 festival will feature 32 dragon boat teams representing colleges, universities, high schools, school districts, government agencies, local businesses, community organizations and the Squaxin Tribe, all battling it out for the championship title.
For more information—including ways to support the festival, organize a team for 2013 or become a member of the 2013 planning committee—see www.stmartin.edu/DragonBoat. The Port Plaza is located in downtown Olympia on the east side of Budd Inlet, just north of Percival Landing. It is marked by a tall viewing tower.
