SOLOMONS, Md. — This year may be the last for the popular Solomons Dragon Boat Festival, currently scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16. The current organizer, Southern Maryland Community Resources, Inc. (SMCR), is looking to step aside for the 2026 event and is seeking a new group to pick up the torch.
SMCR is a nonprofit that helps bridge the gaps for people with developmental differences. The event fundraises for SMCR but also brings together families, local artisans, small businesses and community groups. The event and those like it foster connection and community. It’s now in its ninth year and is a cornerstone charity event in Southern Maryland.
Despite immense dedication and strong stewardship by SMCR, the small organization is looking for other groups to take over the Dragon Boat Festival for the 2026 event and beyond. If not, this could be the festival’s last year.
Matt Lachkovic, an SMCR volunteer, said that a combination of personal barriers and organizational fatigue has led to the festival’s uncertain future.
“The current board remains deeply passionate about the mission but is understandably stretched thin,” Lachkovic said.
And this year’s festival in particular has been a challenge — inflation, workforce reduction and economic uncertainty have put pressure on households and local businesses alike. This means tighter budgets for community events like the Dragon Boat Festival.
Since the festival’s structure and processes are already established, the good news is that a new organizer will inherit what’s basically a “turnkey” event if they choose to take over the festival.
For example, 22Dragons, a professional company specializing in dragon boat racing, handles the boats, equipment and race-day logistics. The county commissioners have historically provided planning assistance, waived permit fees and helped connect organizers with community resources and vendors. Volunteers step up to manage setup, launches and crowd coordination.
In other words, much of the heavy lifting is already streamlined or handled by external partners. The new organization would mainly be responsible for coordinating, planning and making sure the festival runs smoothly.
The Solomons Dragon Boat Festival is more than just a fundraiser — it’s one of the area’s signature summer events. It provides a vital platform for small businesses, crafters and food vendors, and brings people into the Solomons area, boosting sales for local restaurants, shops and waterfront businesses.
“Without the festival, there would be a noticeable loss — both economically and emotionally. It’s a day that celebrates diversity, inclusion, community spirit and local pride. Losing it would leave a significant void in the region’s summer calendar,” Lachkovic added.
This year’s festival is still looking for corporate sponsors and is open for teams to join. There are fewer vendors this year due to space restrictions, but there will be a new children’s area, and the Paradragon and Breast Cancer Survivors divisions are returning to the races.
SMCR expects up to 30 teams to participate and so far has over 30 vendors in place. The festival committee is “full of energy” and “ready to make this the best festival yet,” according to their website. Races begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 16 and run until the championships at 3 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony.
Interested teams, sponsors and vendors can get more information from the event website, and organizations interested in taking over the festival can reach out to SMCR directly at info@somdcr.org.
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