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Dragon Boat Festival Returns to Paducah Saturday

Dragon Boat Festival Returns to Paducah Saturday
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Sep. 18, 2018 | PADUCAH
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 18, 2018 | 11:04 AM | PADUCAH
The dragons will be back at Paducah's riverfront Saturday for the 7th Annual Dragon Boat Festival.

Races run in heats beginning at 9 a.m. Colorful dragon boats with 16 paddlers and a creatively dressed drummer race three races each. All proceeds benefit the educational programs of the River Discovery Center.

This year's event will feature a beer garden sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributing. The garden will have both domestic beer and craft beer from Paducah Beer Werks and will be open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Marvin and Gentry, a locally based folk rock duo, will be playing until around 3 p.m.

Julie Harris with the River Discovery Center says the event has been a driving force behind the center's efforts to help educate young people.

"We have raised over $300,000 over the six years that the event has happened. We are able to expand our educational program and reach more kids because of the event, so it really does make a difference."

Last year’s grand prize winner, Cross Fit’s Oars Deep team will return to defend their title. Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams, and all members on the top teams will receive a medal.  Additional awards will be for Best Dressed Drummer, Most Team Spirit, Best Team T-Shirt and Best Team Area.  

Last year, the festival was named the Silver Award Winner for Best Festival in the Southeast by the Southeast Festival and Events Association. Harris invited everyone to come out and watch the race.

"It makes sense that we're doing something on the river, and bringing people to the river. It's a really fun event." She said.

Sponsors for the festival include Ingram Barge, American Commercial Barge Lines (ACBL), Marquette Transportation, and News Talk 94.3. For more information, call The River Discovery Center  270-575-9958.
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