Dragon Boats arrive ahead of Lake Bemidji’s annual Dragon Boat Festival

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 1.jpg — Mark Dickinson helps Scott Turn unload the dragon boats on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in preperation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

By Maggi Fellerman

August 01, 2022 01:37 PM

BEMIDJI — The Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival’s four-day extravaganza was one step closer on Monday morning when the dragon boats arrived at Paul Bunyan Park.

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 3.jpg — A dragon boat is lifted into the water on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at Paul Bunyan Park in preparation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 5.jpg — Brandon Mustful, front, and Scott Turn unload dragon boats on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in preparation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

The 16th Annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival will take place Wednesday, Aug. 3, through Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Lake Bemidji waterfront.

Here’s a look at the complete festival schedule:

Wednesday, Aug. 3

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Sanford Health Taco Fest to benefit the United Way
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Dragon’s Den open: Sponsor appreciation night
4 to 7 p.m. – Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Ronda and Orlando
5 to 8 p.m. – Merchandise Tent open
5 to 9 p.m. – Practice sessions, the public is invited to watch

Thursday, Aug. 4

4 to 8 p.m. – Food Court open
5 to 8 p.m. – Merchandise Tent open
5 to 9 p.m. – Practice sessions, the public is invited to watch
5 to 9 p.m. – Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Mix 103.7 Live
5 to 11 p.m. – Dragon’s Den open: Community appreciation night
6:30 to 9 p.m. – 11th Annual Cornhole Tournament

Friday, Aug. 5

Noon to 9 p.m. – Food court open
Noon to 7 p.m. – Merchandise tent open
3 to 5 p.m. – Practice sessions, the public is invited to watch
4 p.m. to midnight – Dragon’s Den open
6 to 6:30 p.m. – Parade of Teams and apening ceremonies
6:30 to 7 p.m. – Mandatory Sprint Cup Team managers meeting
7 to 8:30 p.m. – 9th Annual Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup Races
8 to 10 p.m. – Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Fun Pianos - Dueling Piano Show

Saturday, Aug. 6

8 to 9 a.m – 8th annual 5k run/walk
8:45 a.m. – Mandatory all team manager's meeting
8 to 10 a.m. – Race day breakfast
8 a.m. to Midnight – Dragon’s Den Open
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Merchandise tent open
9 to 9:30 a.m. – 1/2k run/walk
9 a.m. to midnight – Dragon’s Den open
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Round 1 heats: Dragon Boat races
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Food court open
1:30 to 4:15 p.m. – Round 2 heats: Dragon Boat races
4:30 to 5:15 p.m. – Finals: Dragon Boat races
5:30 to 6 p.m. – Dragon Boat Festival awards and closing Ceremonies
6 to 11 p.m. – Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Corey Medina and Brothers

All race times are tentative and subject to race-day circumstances. For more information, visit bemidjidragonboat.com.

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 2.jpg — Dragon boats wait to be unloaded Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at Paul Bunyan Park in preparation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 6.jpg — A number of volunteers, young and old, help unload the dragon boats on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in preparation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

073022.N.BP.DRAGONBOAT 4.jpg — A crew works on setting up a tent on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at Paul Bunyan Park in preparation for the 16th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival set for Aug. 3-6, on Lake Bemidji.

Related Topics: DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL BEMIDJI

By Maggi Fellerman

Maggi is a reporter at the Bemidji Pioneer focusing on outdoor and human interest stories. Raised in Aitkin, Minnesota, Maggi is a graduate of Bemidji State University's class of 2022 with a degree in Mass Communication.