Potsdam Town Board member Marty Miller participates in the “eye dotting ceremony” on the canoes, which is done to “awaken the dragon” before the races begin at last year’s event. Photo submitted by Michelle Garrow.
BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week
HANNAWA FALLS – There is still time for vendors and crafters to rent space at the second annual Dragon Boat Races Festival in Postwood Park scheduled for Sunday, July 16.
The last day to register for vendor space is July 3. Spaces are $25. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2ckt525a to fill out the online registration form.
The festival is part of the onshore events centered around the Dragon Boat Races which will launch Hong Kong-style dragon canoes from Postwood Park beach into the Racquette River, where paddling teams will compete for first place in sprint style races.
The event is organized by Clarkson University Health Services Program, in conjunction with the town recreation department, and raises money to support mission trips, health initiatives, experiential learning, community service outreach and health education within St. Lawrence County.
This year’s event is expected to draw more competitors and attendees.
“We were very excited to have the Dragon Boat Races at Postwood last year,” said Potsdam Town Recreation Director Michelle Garrow.
“We had 10 teams last summer which was a good jumping off point,” Garrow told North Country This Week. “We are hoping to double that number of teams for this year. There are several teams coming in from out of the area and we are looking forward to having them participate this year. There is still time for teams to register.”
“We are also hoping to get more area youth involved and would like to get a couple more youth teams registered,” Garrow said.
“Teams will be coming in over the 3 days leading up to the event to practice to get ready for the event,” she said.
Garrow said that about 400 people, both participants and spectators, attended the races…
Read the full article here