The Second annual Dragon Boat Festival in North Beach Saturday, June 21 had a few things going against it—overcast skies, a less than placid Chesapeake Bay and a plethora of competing events throughout Calvert County and other areas of Southern Maryland. Somehow the event seems to have brought the community together to eradicate a significant problem. There is also the lure of the fierce competition that drives the day.
The money raised goes to End Hunger in Calvert County. The Rev. Robert Hahn of Chesapeake Church, who is the CEO of End Hunger in Calvert County, said the event should net between $40,000 and $50,000 when the final numbers are tallied. That would double the total raised at the inaugural Dragon Boat Festival. The 2013 competition, the first dragon boat race ever held on the Chesapeake Bay, had 20 boat crews competing. This year the number was 32. Each crew consists of 19 participants—16 paddlers and a drummer.
The 2014 winner was the crew called “Blue Dragons Team 2.” They bested “Different Strokes” in the final 200-meter race of the day.
A few local rivalries are also part of the pageantry. The Town of North Beach logged a better finishing time than the crew from Chesapeake Beach. The difference was less than one second. That meant for the second year in a row North Beach is in possession of The Mayor’s Cup.
Exelon’s crew topped Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s paddlers to earn a trophy in the competition between utilities.
“Today was a good day for the needy,” declared Hahn at the start of the post-race awards ceremony. Hahn was joined by veteran TV-radio meteorologist Doug Hill, who provided commentary during the races and helped present the trophies and medals.
According to Hahn, about 10,000 people—around 10 percent of Calvert’s population—use food pantries in the county.
While the race is logistically challenging to stage, Hahn said the corporate sponsors defray the expenses incurred. The Town of North Beach staff also plays a huge role in making the event possible. A street festival along Bay Avenue featured food vendors and crafters.
“It’s been a wonderful event,” said North Beach Town Councilman Ken Wilcox. “What’s important is that we are raising money to end hunger.”
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
