What's happening at the 2013 Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

Anyone who has paddled at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival before can tell you that it's more than just a competition, it's also an experience.

As one of the summer's last events, the 2013 Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival could be one of the most fun events your team paddles all year.  We have a calendar of fun activities already planned, and more in the works to make this the best year yet.

 Festival Theme

 This year the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is celebrating our mission statement:

Bringing Communities Together Through Dragon Boating

We're bringing the many communities that make up Victoria together to celebrate a great sport and the Asian cultures in our region. Our artwork for this year is inspired by the local First Nations, who have paddling traditions located in the same waters as the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival.  In the photo below of First Nations canoe races in the Inner Harbour, look for the Old Victoria Customs House in the centre of the image. Our modern-day Paddlers' Village sits on the hillside where the crowds are watching the races.

Photo by J.S. Matthews, courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives.

Paddlers' Party and Paddlers' Airband

If you were at the Festival on Saturday night last year, you'll probably remember the Paddlers' Airband Competition and Paddlers' Party dinner.  We served up some tasty meals from our fantastic food vendors, Mama Rosie's Kitchen, Puerto Vallarta Amigos, The Reef, and the Noodle Cart.  We had so much fun that we're doing it again!  We'll be serving up the flavours of the world, courtesy of our fantastic food vendors, plus some summery fresh salad from our friends at Fairway Market on Saturday, August 17, starting at 5:30pm in the Beer Garden.  Watch this space - we will be offering our blog and newsletter readers the chance to pre-purchase tickets later in the summer.  Only a limited number will be available, and they will sell out fast!

Fairway Market Dragon Express
perform at the 2012 Air Band Competition

The 2012 Paddlers' Airband Competition was a night to remember.  We saw six fantastic teams take the stage in what was most definitely the best show of team spirit ever witnessed in Victoria.  From sumo costumes to flashy neon, some cameo appearances and and a whole lot of Gangnam Style, it was certainly not an event to be missed!  Check out the videos from last year's event on YouTube here.

We've set the theme for Paddlers' Village in 2013 - Victoria Ink!  There's an amazing tradition of
tattooing in Asia.  We want to see your team's take on Asian-inspired tattoos. Remember - if your team is coming from out of town or has trouble bringing props to decorate your tent, you can still score points for decorating your people!  Costumes are definitely encouraged. Look out for special Victoria Dragon Boat Festival tattoos at events around the Festival.  Does your team have what it takes to take down the reigning Spirit Award champions the Goblin Empire?

Lights of Courage Campaign

The Lights of Courage Campaign is now in its 8th year.  This moving campaign pays tribute to those who have fought cancer in a moving display of strength, compassion and love.  We invite all our guests to purchase paper lanterns, available at Fairway Market, The Bay Centre and Denny's from July and bring them to the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival on August 16, 17 and 18.  Write a message on the lantern's tag, and hang it with hundreds of others along the pier at Ship Point.  All funds raised from this campaign go towards cancer research and care in our community.  Join us at 9:00pm on Friday, August 16 as we light the lanterns.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Challenge

At 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 18, join us on Ship Point for the Breast Cancer Survivors' Challenge, Carnation Ceremony and Paddle Arch.  The Breast Cancer Survivors' Challenge takes place at 12:00 noon.  Following the race, spectators are invited to share in a show of support by participating in the Carnation Toss.  All paddlers are invited to join us as the Survivor teams come off the water and join in a paddle arch.

Paddlers' Breakfast

If mornings aren't your thing, we've got you covered.  All you have to do is wake up enough to get yourself down to the Festival, and we'll take care of the rest.  Our friends at Denny's will be cooking up a breakfast that'll get you going for the day, with bacon and eggs, pancakes, yogourt and of course, plenty of coffee.  Vouchers will be available for pre-purchase in July.