There was lots of excitement in the Grand Marais harbor on Saturday, July 27 as the 10th North Shore Dragon Boat Festival was under way. Showing great form as they head to the starting line was Team Canada.
The streets and beaches of Grand Marais were filled with drumming and dancing on Friday and Saturday, July 26 – 27, 2013 as the 10th North Shore Dragon Boat Festival brought dragon boat racing enthusiasts from near and far.
After 10 years of racing the 40-foot boats in the Grand Marais harbor, many faces—and team names— are familiar. However, taking the Palladium Championship this year was a new team, Wikki & Da Boys from Duluth who edged out the local Quetico-Superior team.
Finishing third was the team that helped get dragon boat racing started in Grand Marais, the Canadians from Thunder Bay. In their bright red and white jerseys, they gave the other teams some great competition.
Hungry Jack Outfitters, consisting of mainly high school students, was 4th overall. They put up a good fight in their neon green T-shirts. The Taconite Pellets of Plymouth, Minn. also performed well, earning a spot in the top five.
The remaining teams showed great spirit and finished in the following order: WTIP Tippers of Grand Marais; Cook County Dog Mushers of Hovland; The Otters of Minneapolis; Fired Up Puppies of Grand Marais; North House Folk School of Grand Marais; Off the Edge of Mahtomedi, Minn.; Spirit of the Wilderness of Grand Marais; Birkie Girls of Hayward, Wis.; Classic Rockers of St. Louis Park, Minn. and Women on the Edge of Mahtomedi, Minn.
Ahna Schulte was the drummer for the local Dragon Boat team Fired Up Puppies. She did a great job getting the team energized as they headed to the starting line.
Most of the teams took part in the Friday night parade of teams and waking of the dragon. Grand Marais City Councilor Tim Kennedy did the honor of waking the dragon with a splash of cold water from Lake Superior. Once the dragon awoke, local favorites The Splinters played and there was dancing into the night.
All of the racing and merriment is for more than just exercise and a day on the water. Proceeds raised by racers supports three local nonprofits— North House Folk School, North Shore Health Care Foundation, and WTIP Community Radio.
Above: The Friday night parade of teams is always fun. North House Folk School was one of the parade participants. Little Olya (on the right) is not old enough to paddle a dragon boat yet, but she did a great job helping carry the North House banner.
Mark your calendar and plan to take part in the 11th North Shore Dragon Boat Festival next year!
The Cook County Dog Mushers didn’t bring any sled dogs to the parade of teams. However, they made good use of the dog boxes in their mushing truck. These young men were very wellbehaved puppies.
Right: Grand Marais City Councilor Tim Kennedy had the honor of waking the dragon. As he sprinkled the colorful beast with cool, fresh, Lake Superior water, it came to life and gave a roar, opening the 10th Annual North Shore Dragon Boat Festival activities.
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