The Kentucky Travel Industry Association names its Top Festivals & Events four times a year. To be named eligible, festivals or events must be recommended or produced by a Kentucky Travel Industry Association member. A panel of impartial judges selects the winners for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy, as well as cultural and historical significance.
Julie Harris, Executive Director of the River Discovery Center said, “We are thrilled to join some of the state’s top festivals by being recognized by KTIA in their Top 10. This year’s event promises to be another great time for our community to enjoy!”
Dragon Boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport, and is now the fastest growing international team water sport in North America. The boats measure 41 feet, carry up to 20 paddlers, one drummer on the front and a professional steersman guiding the boat.
In it’s third year, the Paducah Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20. This one-day event attracts over 7,000 people to Paducah’s riverfront and raises money to directly benefit the educational programs of the River Discovery Center. With 26 teams participating in the races, the event has been praised for its ability to bring coworkers, family, and friends together for a fun and unique kind of team-building experience.
The River Discovery Center’s mission is to educate about the importance of our rivers and the impact they have in our daily lives. The Center is located at 117 South Water Street long Paducah’s scenic riverfront. The center is open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 am - 5 pm and Sunday (April – November) from 1 - 5 pm. For more information, visit their website at www.riverdiscoverycenter.org.
Information provided by the River Discovery Center, Paducah, KY.
