GAINESVILLE - The 2005 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday was a great success said Connie Hagler, executive director of the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club.
"It was the best ever Dragon Boat Festival that was hosted at the Lake Lanier Olympic Center," she said, "We had 42 teams that were there, so it was a great crowd."
The teams of rowers, each with 20 rowers and one steerer, raced each other at the Lake Lanier Olympic Center. Teams came from colleges, clubs and businesses of all ages.
"The competition was wonderful," said Hagler, "It was very close, and there were a lot of teams that were very competitive."
While the event brought people from around the country to the Olympic Venue to race, the overall winner was Hagler's own club from Gainesville.
In addition to the races, Hagler said there were other activities for kids.
"The culture activities were a lot of fun. There were kites and frisbees and trampolines to jump on," she said, "Lots of fun things for the kids to do."
Next year's race is already being planned for September 9, 2006.
"Watching so many people have so much fun on the lake and in the boats, you could tell people were smiling and laughing and enjoying just being at the lake and paddling," she said, "I think that was what you saw all day, people relaxing and having fun, smiling and playing on the lake, and that was the best part."
Friday
July 18th, 2025
1:55AM
