Calvert County officially kicks off the summer with the 3rd Annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday June 20th from 9AM – 5PM in North Beach MD.
That day, over 3,500 spectators will line the Boardwalk in North Beach to watch as 38 teams compete for the fastest time across the finish line. Local food, craft, and business vendors will also be part of the festival – all supporting one mission: end hunger in Calvert County.
WJLA ABC 7’s Chief Meteorologist Doug Hill, is confirmed to be back MC’ing the festival – calling the races and hosting the awards ceremony as we medal this year’s finalist and Grand Champion!
End Hunger In Calvert County has again partnered with Mully’s Brewery as the exclusive beer vendor for the festival. That day Mully’s will be serving Dragon Brew which SOLD OUT last year! If you want to know what that means, you have to attend on Saturday June 20th! Bay Wine and Spirits will be the festival’s exclusive wine vendor.
“I can’t think of a better way for Calvert to kick off the summer than with the End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival,” says Jacqueline Miller President of End Hunger In Calvert County. “The beauty of Dragon Boat Festival is that no matter how you participate – on a team, as a spectator, a volunteer, or vendor – for one day, the entire county unites and discovers the power of #givewheryoulive. Together, we not only care for people – we care about people.”
In addition to the main event, five community boats will be competing for their industry cup. This year’s Cups include: Youth Cup,Lifeline Cup, Teacher’s Cup, Fitness Cup, Power Cup, and Mayor’s Cup.
Leading up to the festival are team practice nights starting Tuesday June 16 thru Friday June 19. During that week, each team has the opportunity to get into a dragon boat and learn the proper racing techniques as well as meet the Dragon Boat Coaches.
Last year, the event attracted 32 teams, over 3,000 spectators and raised $60,000 to support the mission of End Hunger In Calvert County. This year, all 36 teams are racing to End Hunger In Calvert County Dragon Boat Festival is on track to raise over $65,000 – all of which goes to caring for the hungry in our county and moving them from dependency to self-sufficiency.
Yet, more than raising money, the Dragon Boat teams also hope to raise awareness. Last year alone, End Hunger In Calvert County distributed nearly 1 million pounds of food to its 32 Feeding Organizations. In addition the End Culinary Training Program and Electrical training program graduate over 80 students a year and get them back to work. 70% of End Hunger Graduates are now working and some for the first time have benefits.
For a list of End Hunger In Calvert County partners visit endhungercalvert.org.
In July 2013, End Hunger In Calvert County was recognized by the Better Business Bureau as an Accredited Charity for meeting all 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability. As part of the accreditation process, the Better Business Bureau found that $0.93 of every dollar donated to the organization goes straight into programming. That means that when you support events like the Dragon Boat Festival and give to End Hunger In Calvert County, you can do so with confidence.
At the time of press the sponsors of the 2014 Dragon Boat Festival are:
o American Legion Post 206
o Audio Plus
o Bay Business Group
o Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa
o Chesapeake Church
o Crow Entertainment
o Curits Homes
o Dunkirk Supply
o Exelon Generation
o Gradient Construction
o Honda of Bowie
o Locust Lane Farms, Inc.
o Nissan of Bowie
o Sisk Auto Body
o S.J. Johnson
o SMECO
o Sneades Ace Home Center
o The Town of Chesapeake Beach
o The Town of North Beach
At the time of press the vendors of the 2015 Dragon Boat Festival are:
Bay Wine & Spirits
Calvert Kettle Korn
Jillian’s Fare
Mully’s Brewery
Papa John’s Pizza
Phelps Concessions
Red Hot and Blue
Rita’s Italian Ice
Will & Veronica’s Produce
Chrystal’s Princess Treasures
CC Republican Committee
Doctors Express
Edward Jones Financial
Happy House Glassworks
ImPeckable Treasures
Indigo Moon
Kortie Kreations
Leaffilter of Maryland
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Nancy Piatt
North Beach Fire Department
Northern Calvert Lions Club
Old Spool Embroidery
Orgami Owl
Pallet Refined
Scentsy
Spin It Again
State Farm Wayne Shoemaker
Tanya Wallen Creations
Tastefully Simple
Twin Beach Players
V&V Canvas Art
Viridian
Wiley Productions – Face Painting
World Gym
