Festival Day
What happens on race day?
Watch the video to get an idea, then read all the information following and check out the items on the left hand menu to be fully informed.
About a week before the event, Captains will be emailed the race schedule. It will also be posted on the ridethedragon.org website.
Race Day Registration
Gather your whole team in the Registration area at least one hour before your first heat. All team members must be present at Registration to sign the roster and receive your wristband to allow you to get on the boat. A Registration volunteer will assist the team with the process. Be sure all members of your team sign the roster, including alternates and substitutes! As each member signs the roster the volunteer will give them the wrist band. Make sure they put it on!
Race Information
Race information will be posted on leader boards around the park on Race Day. Captain and team members, your responsibility is to get your team organized and ready to line up for racing. Our Dragonheart members will stop by to give you a paddling refresher course. If someone does not come, please ask anyone in a Dragonheart shirt to give you a lesson.
Marshalling
You will need to listen to the Athletes Village PA system all day to get your instructions to marshal to race. Your team will marshal 30 minutes prior to your race. Marshaling is a four-step process.
- The first step takes you to the tents alongside the bike path, where you will show your costume and perform your team song/chant to vie for Spirit prizes.
- You then head to warm up. Yee-Haaa!
- Next, you get your equipment and line up on-deck in the tents by Coast Guard.
- Then it’s time to load the boats and get ready to race your hearts out.
Opening Rounds
You will be racing head-to-head against another community team. After the race, you will be asked to stay together to have your official team photo taken. You'll have some time before your second race - enjoy our entertainment, DragonMart, and great food!
Upon completion of the first round you will be placed in one of eight divisions. Listen and watch for your next race time. You will be asked to marshal for your second race 30 minutes prior to racing. Winners will participate in the third round of head to head racing for placement in the final Round.
Final Rounds
The winners of these races will receive their Divisions Trophy and possibly the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont Champ Cup Race!
Event Maps
Athlete's Village Site Map
Waterfront Park Site Map
Race Day Schedule
Race Schedule by Heat and Time
Race Schedule by Team Name
Entertainment Schedule
Schedule of Events
Lost & Found
We have accumulated a lot of your property that has been left behind from practices. Be sure to reclaim it at our Athletes' Village Information Tent.
Spirit Awards
We hope you are all ready to show your spirit to the max on Sunday. Get ready to decorate your tent site, write your songs and chants, add a few dance steps, and wear those team T-shirts! We will be judging them all. Your time to perform your songs/chants and show off your spirit will be as you muster for your first racing heat. This year the community teams themselves will select the best team names and the best Athlete Village campsites, so you'll need to bring your best game!
Spirit Awards winners will be announced around noon.
If you have an extra T-shirt to donate to Dragonheart, we will be hanging them on a clothes line for everyone to see. We want everyone to enjoy the day and show Vermont the true spirit of dragon boating! Don't be shy! Let your spirit soar!
Dragonheart will be awarding prizes to the community teams in the following categories:
- Best Team Song/Cheer (Dance moves totally count!)
- Best Costume/Uniform
- Best Team Name
- Best Campsite
Got spirit? Show it and you may be going home with a prize.