PHOTO: Trevor Connell
After navigating COVID-19, the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival returns to the Capital at Mooney’s Bay beach from June 24-26. The return of the races, free concerts, festival food, and exhibitors is a great indicator of Ottawa returning to a post-COVID norm.
In addition to non-stop racing, this year’s dragon boat activities include free all-ages concerts from headliners The Strumbellas and Serena Ryder. The all-Canadian lineup includes performances from special guests Frown Line, Stoby, Rebelle, and Steve Neville.
Festivals organizers also announced scheduled performances from Success Dragon Lion Dance, the Chinese Canadian Children’s Choir of Canada, RCAF Pipes and Drums, 100th Regiment of Foot, paintings from local artists Debbie Ratcliffe and Coblou, and a miniature festival from LEGO artist Matthew Ready.
Spectators can enjoy all the action on the water, including the festival’s popular multi-sport paddling event, Ottawa Wa’a, featuring OC1s, SUPs, SurfSkis, 1Xs, C-1s, and K-1s and the showcase of a two-person dragon boat called the DragonFly in a first-ever exhibition race.
Also featured are a variety of mouth-watering festival foods and beverages, including the iconic Canadian treat BeaverTails, and beach-worthy drinks, including the “official beer” of the festival from Beyond The Pale — making for a perfect for a summer day at the beach.
To round out what is already looking like a fantastic festival, the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF) and its annual summer fundraising campaign, the ODBF Pledge Challenge, will be supporting several local charities, including Cornerstone Housing for Women, Ottawa Anglican Day Programs (including St. Luke’s Table, The Well and Centre 454), and Shelter Movers Ottawa.
For more information about the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival 2022, visit dragonboat.net
