Dragons will be flying around Fort Smith on Saturday -- not in the sky, but in the water of the Arkansas River.
The second annual River Valley Dragon Boat Festival begins at 7 p.m. today with two concerts at Fort Smith Park. The main event -- the dragon boat race -- begins at 9 a.m. Saturday.
FAQ
River Valley Dragon Boat Festival
WHEN — 9 a.m. Saturday; festivities begin today at 7 p.m. with a concert by Pearson Brothers followed by Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes
WHERE — Fort Smith Park, 5301 Riverfront Drive
COST — Free
INFO — paddlesupfortsmith.…
"It's a full out sprint," says David Burton, festival chairman, of the 250-meter race. "It lasts only about a minute."
The race, which will start with 20 teams, will be staged in rounds. Each team, which consists of 20 rowers and one drummer, will race once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The teams' times from the two rounds will be averaged to determine the top 12 teams, which will advance to the final round.
The races are managed by Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing from Knoxville, Tenn.
"Last year was a great success," says Burton. "Nobody really knew what a dragon boat was when we started this thing, but we probably had about 3,000 peoples show up last year."
He's hoping this weekend's events draw an even larger crowd.
Burton's job as chairman keeps him busy outside of a dragon boat on the day of the race, but he's know what it takes to be part of those teams.
"You've got to learn to talk to each other and listen to each other. If someone is paddling forward when you are paddling backward, you are knocking paddles and you are not efficient. It requires some practice and some teamwork," Burton says.
The teams get a chance to practice in the water a few days before the race, he says. And it really helps, he adds.
"A few tried (not practicing in the water) last year, and they realized quickly they wouldn't let that happen again," he says. ... "It's different than canoeing or kayaking. The stroke is a powerstroke, and you have to use your whole body to paddle."
The festival is a fundraiser for Hamilton House Child and Family Safety Center in Fort Smith. The organization helped more than 800 child victims of abuse in 2014.
Burton says he's hoping the festival clears $35,000 for the nonprofit organization.
Besides the boat race, participants are also judged on team spirit and best costumes.
-- Kelly Barnett
NAN What's Up on 09/09/2016