Time for Racing, By Chad Koenen 8/10/2010 2:52:00 PM starbucktimes.com
A record number of teams expected for the 3rd Annual Starbuck Dragon Boat Festival "When the Third Annual Starbuck Dragon Boat Festival kicks off this weekend it will be doing so with a record number of participants and teams. ΒΆ Approximately 35 teams are expected to fill the oblong and colorful boats at Starbuck City Park this weekend. The 35 team field, which Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce Director Lori Vaadeland said could grow by the time the races kick off on Saturday morning, is nearly double in size from the 18 teams that competed in the dragon boat festival just two years ago.
Featuring teams of 16-20 people, plus a drummer, each canoe-like boat is powered by team members rowing in unison for the entire 500 meters of the course. Each heat is timed and after each team competes in two timed heats they will be assigned to a division and race for a third and final time. Races will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and will last throughout the late afternoon to early evening.
In addition to the bigger field of teams, Vaadeland said there will be a number of new activities for everyone who attends the two-day festival. Most notably she said, is the expanded lineup of kids' games and inflatables that will be set up in the park. The kids' games will get underway at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and should offer a little bit of everything for children of all ages.
While the races will be held on Saturday, the Starbuck Dragon Boat Festival will officially get underway on Friday evening with a free-will dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. The opening ceremony will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the parade of teams at 7 p.m.
Vaadeland said the public is invited to come to the team practices each evening this week to see the dragon boats, and cheer on the local teams that will be competing on Saturday.
Parking
No parking will be allowed in the city park throughout the dragon boat weekend. Everyone who attends the event is asked to ride the Rainbow Rider busses that will be traveling throughout town all weekend.
Pick up locations will be set up throughout town on both Friday and Saturday to help ease the parking congestion near the city park. Locations where individuals can be picked up include: Fron Lutheran Church, Starbuck Depot, Starbuck Airport, Minnewaska Lutheran Home, Hobo Park, and handicapped parking will be available at First National Bank. Other stops include: 6th St. W. and Highway 29, 4th St. W. and Highway 29, and 1st St. W. and Highway 29.
Vaadeland said the busses will pick up passengers and bring them into the city park. Those individuals who are handicapped will be able to ride golf carts from the drop off point to the races.
"Handicapped people will be brought into the park and we will have golf carts to transport them farther in," she said.
More information
There is still time to register for the Starbuck Dragon Boat Festival. For more information, or to find out how to register, check out the Starbuck Dragon Boat Festival online at www.starbuckdragonboat.com or call Lori Vaadeland at 239-4220."
Friday, August 13th 2010
Saturday, August 14th 2010
UMM International Student-Dragon Boat Races (Meet #1) on Aug 14th 2010
"This is the first meet/round that "Team UMM International Students" compete in at the "Third Annual Dragon Boat Races" in Starbuck, Minnesota."
UMM International Students at the Dragon Boat Races (Meet #2) in Starbuck
