On Saturday dragons and warriors alike will descend at 8 a.m. on the TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam for a water war like no other. The purpose of this popular Chattanooga boating battle is to benefit Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Dating back more than 2,300 years, Dragon Boat racing features teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer in 41-foot long Chinese dragon boats, racing through the water to the finish line. Paddlers ages 15 and older at any skill and fitness levels can participate, making it the ultimate team building sport.
For the second year in a row, one of the region’s investment firms, Patten and Patten, Inc. is presenting this events. Approximately 39 corporate and community teams are already registered with hopes of raising more than $280,000 during this year’s event.
“Thanks to the paddlers’ and teams’ fundraising efforts, the real winners of this event are children who receive the medical care they need at Children’s Hospital,” said Katie Jackson, annual giving and events coordinator at the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Spectators will be able to cheer on their favorite team as participants display dragon boat apparel and race to the finish line in several different heats. Food vendors will be available for a quick bite to eat, and a kids’ zone is sure to entertain even the youngest fans. Top prizes will be awarded later in the afternoon to the fastest teams and those raising the most money.
To learn more about the festival or for information on how to volunteer, please call or email Katie Jackson at 423-778-2679 or katie.jackson@erlanger.org or visit www.paddleforchildrenshospital.org.