The Dragons are Coming

  This weekend is the Fifth Annual North Shore Dragon Boat Races in Grand Marais.  It’s hard to believe it’s already the fifth year and even harder to believe that I get to paddle in them again this year.  I have been lucky enough to be able to take some time off during busy weekends for the past four years and have been given the blessing or possibly permission with gritted teeth to participate this weekend. 

     In any case, I am happy to say I will be paddling a dragon boat during this year’s race.  If you have never paddled a dragon boat then you are missing out.  It is so much fun to be in a long boat with 19 other people paddling in unison with the drummer as the steersman maneuvers through the water.  There are some folks who paddle in races throughout the entire summer and who even have their own boats.  It sounds like a blast to me; paddling every weekend and festivals all over the country.   

  The boats come to town on Thursday when practices begin.  Festivities and practice will continue on Friday along with some other scheduled events.  Friday evening there will be the participant’s parade followed by live music.  Saturday the fun begins early with racing continuing well into the afternoon.  When the racing is done there will still be more fun so plan on being in Grand Marais this weekend, I will be!