The Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival marks its 10th year of “Paddles Up for Kids” on Saturday, May 7, at the TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam, 3001 Kings Point Road.
In this friendly competition, teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer race in authentic, 46-foot, Hong Kong-style boats, the latest iteration of a sport that dates back 2,300 years.
First boats go out at 8:30 a.m., and finals will end around 2:30 p.m. Event coordinator Christian Orth says the 30 teams last year raised more than $130,000 for T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
This year’s goal is $150,000. Visitors will want to pay attention to the teams’ names, apparel and tents, which often tap into clever themes for a chance to win prizes.
Top prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams and those raising the most money.
For more information, call 423-778-9298 or email Christian.Orth@erlanger.org. Or visit www.paddleforchildrenshospital.org.