Calvert County officially kicks off the summer with the 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday June 21st from 9AM – 5PM in North Beach MD.
That day, over 3,000 spectators will line the Boardwalk in North Beach to watch as 34 teams compete for the fastest time across the finish line. Local food, craft, and business vendors will also be part of the festival – all supporting one mission: end hunger in Calvert County.
WJLA ABC 7’s Chief Meteorologist Doug Hill, is confirmed to be back MC’ing the festival and calling the races and Frank Dawson from WKIK-FM 102.9 will be broadcasting LIVE from the Dragon Boat Festival!
New this year, End Hunger In Calvert County has partnered with Mully’s Brewery as the exclusive beer vendor for the festival. That day Mully’s will be serving Dragon Brew. If you want to know what that means, you have to attend on Saturday June 21st!
“I can’t think of a better way for Calvert to kick off the summer than with the End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival,” says Jacqueline Miller Director of Awareness for End Hunger In Calvert County. “The beauty of Dragon Boat Festival is that no matter how you participate – on a team, as a spectator, a volunteer, or vendor – for one day, the entire county can come together, discover the power of #givewheryoulive and make a difference for the people in our community.”
Leading up to the festival are team practice nights starting Tuesday June 17 thru Friday June 20. During that week, each team has the opportunity to get into a dragon boat and learn the proper racing techniques as well as meet the Dragon Boat Coaches.
Because the event has nearly doubled from last year, teams will practice in both North Beach and Chesapeake Beach, making this a twin beach festival! That week, both Towns will be running Dragon Boat specials at local restaurants and stores – everyone is encouraged to come on down and take part in the week long festivities.
Last year, the event attracted 20 teams, over 2,500 spectators and raised $32,000 to support the mission of End Hunger In Calvert County. This year, all 34 teams are sold out and the End Hunger In Calvert County Dragon Boat Festival is on track to raise over $60,000 – all of which goes to caring for the hungry in our county and moving them from dependency to self-sufficiency.
Yet, more than raising money, the Dragon Boat teams also hope to raise awareness. Last year alone, End Hunger In Calvert County distributed over 1 million pounds of food. For a list of End Hunger In Calvert County food pantries visit endhungercalvert.org.
In July 2013, End Hunger In Calvert County was recognized by the Better Business Bureau as an Accredited Charity for meeting all 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability. As part of the accreditation process, the Better Business Bureau found that $0.93 of every dollar donated to the organization goes straight into programming. That means that when you support events like the Dragon Boat Festival and give to End Hunger In Calvert County, you can do so with confidence.
At the time of press the sponsors of the 2014 Dragon Boat Festival are:
o American Legion Post 206
o Audio Plus
o Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa
o Chesapeake Church
o Crow Entertainment
o Curits Homes
o Early Bird Home Services, LLC
o Exelon Generation
o Githens and Associates Insurance Agency
o Gradient Construction
o Honda of Bowie
o Nissan of Bowie
o NRG
o Sisk Auto Body
o S.J. Johnson
o SMECO
o The Town of Chesapeake Beach
o The Town of North Beach
About End Hunger In Calvert County
End Hunger In Calvert County (EHCC) is an association of over 100 business, 25 churches, 11 food pantries and countless volunteers and community leaders united behind the idea that hunger can be defeated in our county. The long-term purposes of EHCC is to able the willing and move those from dependency to self sufficiency. Visit their website endhungercalvert.org for more information.