The annual dragon boat races start Friday.
Friday's opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Barker's Island in Superior mark the start of a free, family-friendly weekend of food, music and boat races.
Dragon boats are human-powered water crafts, with crews of 20 people who sit two across. There's a drummer in the front and a steersman sitting in the back.
Races of the paddle-powered boats start Saturday at 8 a.m. and go throughout the day. The races occur on a straight, 400-meter course in Superior Bay.
There's also beer, cider and wine sales at the festival, as well as a music stage with performers lined up throughout both days.
The
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
is raising money to decrease homelessness in the Twin Ports. Harbor House Crisis Shelter, Life House and Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity are its charitable event partners.
1/4: The Challenge Center team practices for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Superior Bay off of Barkers Island. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
2/4: The Challenge Center team practices for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Superior Bay off Barker's Island. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
3/4: The Challenge Center team glides in front of the Fairlawn Mansion as it practices for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Superior Bay. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
4/4: The Challenge Center team practices for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Superior Bay off of Barkers Island. The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival begins Friday, Aug. 23, with races starting Saturday, Aug. 24. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
