Lure of the Dragons Race + Festival
The Tradition Continues in the Hickory Nut Gorge
Lake Lure’s “Lure of the Dragons” race and festival combines fun festivities with team building
and exciting competition! With drums pounding out stroke cadence, up to 34 corporate and community teams will paddle 250 meters down the Rocky Broad River in 30-foot long dragon boats dressed out in dragon heads, tails and scales! All competing for first place and all in the name of children's charities!
Exciting? You bet! The inaugural “Lure of the Dragons” festival attracted 22 teams, 264 paddlers, and 2000+ spectators. The Lure of the Dragons is the only race in the United States to exclusively feature the thirty-foot, 10 paddler, small boats.
Why We Race
Dragon Boat racing is a competitive sport, but the real winners are the beneficiaries of the event. We dedicate the proceeds of the race and festival to non-profit programs and/or services which help to improve the quality of life for children and youth.
In support of its mission to improve the quality of life and future of children and youth in the region, Lake Lure Dragon Boat Racing, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public organization, has selected Camp Lurecrest and the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach to receive the net income from dragon boat race and festival in Lake Lure, NC.