Registration for the 18th annual Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is now open as organizers encouraged everyone to #getintheboat and announced exciting new features sure to thrill participants and visitors alike.
The Dragon is indeed coming but when participants and visitors arrive at Del Crary Park on Saturday, June 9th, they’ll be in for some pretty exciting changes. Festival Chair Michelle Thornton said that this year, the organizing committee’s focus for the long-running fundraiser is on having a blast – both on the water and off.
“The 2018 Festival is about even more people having even more fun while raising money for a really important cause,” said Thornton. “In addition to our luxury “Dragon’s Lair” for the top fundraising team, we’re introducing the “Dragon’s Loft” and “Dragon’s Nest” for the 2nd and 3rd place fundraising teams.
We’ve lowered our paddling age threshold to 13 so that even more young people and families can take part on the water, and we’ve added a brand-new “Paddler’s Pool” where people can register online as individuals if they’d like to participate in the Festival but don’t have a team.”
That’s just the start of the changes coming for 2018. Thornton said she’s most excited about some of the new features happening off the water.
“We’re taking over the park!” said Thornton. “There’s going to be so much for paddlers and visitors to do between races. We’ve got the new Vendor’s Village partnership with Modern Makers Market featuring local artisans and food vendors, and we’re adding a family-friendly “Fun Zone” complete with a pop-up skate park, axe-throwing, Zumba and tumbling, face-painting and crafts, and much more.” A new Festival “Open House” is also planned for Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Trent University Athletics Centre for anyone who wants to learn more about the event. Visitors can even join
Survivors Abreast team members in the tank and give paddling a try!
Thornton says that at the end of the day, however, it all comes down to the cause.“Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in her lifetime,” she said. “In 2018 and during this, our 18th year, we want to make sure that the tests and treatment that can save lives are available right here in our
community, at our hospital. That’s why we’re encouraging everybody to #getintheboat with us because if we keep paddling together, we can continue to have an incredible impact on the lives of those women andmen in our region who are facing this terrible disease. And best of all, what’s raised here, stays here.”
New Dragon’s Loft & Nest, Vendor’s Village and “Fun Zone” planned for 2018 Festival PLUS lower participation age and a new “Paddler’s Pool” for individual paddlers!
The proceeds of the 2018 Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival will support fast, accurate breast cancer diagnosis through innovation in PRHC’s laboratory. PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway said many people might be surprised to know that without the lab, there would be no cancer care at our hospital.
“For a cancer patient and their loved ones, two of the hardest things to deal with are waiting and uncertainty,” said Heighway. “Doctors rely on lab results to determine and confirm 100% of cancer diagnoses and treatment decisions so we’re investing in new laboratory automation technology that supports efficient processing of tissue and cytological samples taken during cancer biopsies and surgeries.
As a result, lab technologists will be able to provide pathologists with the materials they need to make accurate breast cancer diagnoses even sooner.”
“But the impact of the Festival’s support won’t end there,” Heighway added. “Breast is just one of the cancers that this vital piece of technology will be used for. In fact, PRHC’s lab processes more than 20,000 cancer-related cases annually. That number represents thousands of additional people who will benefit
from the Festival and its donors’ investment every single year. We’re so grateful for the support of our partners Survivors Abreast and Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival, and to every one of the paddlers, donors, volunteers and sponsors who make this amazing event such a success.”
Kawartha Credit Union also returns in 2018 as the Festival’s Platinum sponsor for their 17th year, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to both their community and the cause.“At Kawartha Credit Union, we’re passionate about supporting the well-being of the communities we serve,” said Rob Wellstood, CEO of Kawartha Credit Union. “Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is a wonderful example of the impact we can have when we come together as a community to make life better for our friends and neighbours. Kawartha Credit Union is very proud to continue our support of an event that unites our community in common purpose and spirit year after year.”
Festival host Survivors Abreast President Peggy Quirion says they are proud of the outstanding impact Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has had since its inception in 2001.
“Last year’s Festival brought our 17-year total to over $3.1 million,” said Quirion. “Teams that have been with us since the beginning come out year after year. Now their children and grandchildren are joining them or creating their own teams. With so many new teams joining, it’s inspiring and humbling to think of the impact we’re going to be able to have on the quality of breast cancer care available in our region, now
and into the future.”
Registration for the 2018 Festival is now open at http://www.ptbodragonboat.ca. Team captains can take advantage of savings and help raise awareness about the Festival thanks to two new registration rates:
“The First 18” (18 spots only – available until March 18th or when spots are gone) followed by the “18th Anniversary Rate” (18 spots only – available until March 28th or when spots are gone). Regular registration continues into the month of May. Teams and participants are encouraged to engage with the Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the handle @ptbodragonboat and the hashtags #getintheboat and
#dragonbragging.
Proudly sponsored by 101.5 The Wolf, Chex Peterborough and 100.5 Fresh Radio.
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Huels, Communication & Marketing Chair, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Communications
Committee, (705) 743-2121, x 3660 or rhuels@prhc.on.ca
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