North Beach, MD – The Third annual End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival drew a large crowd to the Town of North Beach Saturday, June 20. The searing heat and threat of severe thunderstorms did nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of 38 dragon boat crews seeking bragging rights to what has arguably become one of Calvert County’s most celebrated sporting events.
The race’s organizers, End Hunger in Calvert County, added to their war chest in the fight to stamp out the sad plight of the area’s economically challenged.
During the day-long event, the many who walked along the bayside town’s boardwalk, visited with the many food and craft vendors, event sponsors along with the rows of spectators who stood at the railing’s edge to watch the races, heard the familiar voice of TV weatherman Doug Hill describing the action and reminding everyone that the fight against hunger was the purpose of the festival.
The night before, the event organizers, racers, town officials from North Beach and Chesapeake Beach gathered at the Boardwalk Pavilion for the Dotting of the Eye and Lighting of the Lanterns Ceremony.
All teams raced at least twice. The top six teams advanced to the finals.
These were this year’s top 10 teams: First place, That’s How We Row 2.0; second place, Swole Patrol; third place, SEIZE THE BAY; fourth place, Yeah Buoy!; fifth place, Renegade Rowers; sixth place, Flow Riders; seventh place, Team North Beach; eighth place, Maryland Pride; ninth place, SJ’s Green Machines; and tenth place, Team ‘Different Strokes.’
While the Town of North Beach’s boat finished in the top 10, it was unable to notch a “three-peat” in the competition for The Mayors Cup. The crew from the Town of Chesapeake Beach captured the cup, besting North Beach by less than a second.
End Hunger in Calvert County President Jacqueline Miller told The Bay Net that the organization netted approximately $75,000 from the event. “We had six more teams than last year and the weather was cooperative,” said Miller, who confirmed a fourth Dragon Boat Festival is planned for June 2016.
Complete results are available on the End Hunger in Calvert County’s Facebook page.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com