Planning for the 2025 Festival is well underway and registration will open Saturday, February 15th at 12:01 AM. The first 3 teams to register will win a complimentary dragon boat lake practice.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday June 14th, 2025 at Del Crary Park and will once again feature Dragon Boat Races, Artisan and Food Vendors, Family Fun Zone, Beer Garden and much more!
“The planning committee has already kicked off the season” said Michelle Thornton, Festival Chair “and I am grateful to once again work with an amazing group of volunteers. We continue to work hard to fulfill our motto of Making a Difference One Race at a Time, by raising money to help fund world-class breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC)”.
And what a difference they have made so far. To date, the Festival has raised over 4.5 million dollars and has once again set an aggressive fundraising goal.
“Our goal is to raise $260, 018.01 for the PRHC Foundation” said Thornton “and once again it’s a meaningful one. The 2 represents the 2 out of 5 Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, the 60 is to bring attention to the PRHC Foundation’s 60 million dollar “ReImagine Health Care” campaign that we are a part of. In keeping with our mandate of raising awareness about breast cancer, the 18 is for the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the .01 is the percentage of men who will also face a breast cancer diagnosis”.
“But most importantly, what’s raised here, stays here”, Thornton added. “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and if we keep paddling together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of family, friends and neighbours in our region, who are facing this rotten disease”.
Hosted by Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has been a community staple event since 2001 and is a vital fundraiser for the PRHC Foundation. Survivors Abreast team President, Ann Stabler said they are proud of the outstanding community work the team has done since it’s inception in 1999. “We’ve always focussed on breast cancer awareness and raising funds for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). We know first hand the importance of the work the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) does, and their continuing mission to bring the best cancer care the world has to offer, right here to our hospital.”
“We’re excited to get back out on the water this June, paddling for a cause that has touched so many lives,” says PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway. “As cancer volumes continue to rise in Peterborough and the surrounding area, it’s more important than ever to invest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment our regional hospital needs to care for our family, friends and neighbours. The support from Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is absolutely vital to ensuring PRHC has the tools to provide world-class cancer care, close to home. We’re so grateful for the Festival’s commitment to cancer care and the Campaign for PRHC.”
All pledges support the cause which means the Festival relies on the generosity of local businesses and organizations to cover expenses and provide the best experience possible for participants. These sponsors are committed to community involvement and the importance of giving back, and organizers are thrilled that Kawartha Credit Union will continue to be the event’s Presenting Platinum Sponsor, marking their 24th consecutive year.
“At Kawartha Credit Union, caring for others is a core value at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to the well-being of our community runs deep, and we are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival for the 24th consecutive year,” said Norah McCarthy, President & CEO of Kawartha Credit Union. “This event is more than a celebration; it’s a powerful, collective effort to make a real difference in the lives of those battling breast or other cancer. We invite our community partners to come together in support of this vital cause, as we work hand in hand to strengthen local healthcare and bring hope to countless families in Peterborough and beyond.”
Registration for the 24th edition of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival opens February 15th at 12:01 AM and can be done at www.ptbodragonboat.ca.
Participants and supporters are encouraged to engage with the Festival on Facebook and Instagram @ptbodragonboat
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Thornton
Chair – Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival
705-930-7635 or info@ptbodragonboat.ca
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