Nanaimo: More Than Dragon Boats!

Image: Kat Kellner
 
Set to take place July 6 to 8 at Nanaimo’s spectacular Maffeo Sutton Park, Save on Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is set to be a big hit this year.
 
This is the 16th year that Nanaimo has come together to celebrate one of the most amazing and colourful sports you will ever witness—an event that attracts more than 60 teams from across Western Canada and the United States.
 
This is Nanaimo’s biggest festival, and for good reason. It attracts more than 10,000 attendees and 1,800 paddlers, and the action is non-stop, with new race taking place every eight minutes on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The origin of dragon boat racing can be traced to events that took place in southern China over 2,000 years ago. But this festival offers so much more than dragon boat races, there’s also multicultural entertainment, food vendors, and fun-raising events for charities.
 
Here’s the itinerary, so you don’t miss a minute of the action…
 
Friday July 6, 2018
3:00 pm               Paddler  Registration – Paddler’s Village
5:00 pm               Survivors Dinner – private, by invite only
7:00 pm               Registration closes
9:15 pm               Stones of Courage Ceremony – Swy-a-Lana Lagoon – open to everyone
 
Saturday July 7, 2018
7:00 am               Shriners Pancake breakfast starts cooking
7:00 am               Late Registration opens – Paddler’s Village
7:45 am               Steers/Managers meeting
8:00 am               Registration closes
8:30 am               And the racing begins!
9:00 am               Vendors open and ready for business!
11:00 am             Shriners Pancake breakfast ends
NOON                 Opening Ceremony – Swy-a-Lana Lagoon
NOON                 Longwood Brewery Beer gardens starts pouring!
1:00 pm               Afternoon racing begins
4:00 pm               Racing completed for the day
5:00 pm               Longwood Brewery Beer Garden closes
5:30 pm               All Paddler’s Party begins – private, by invite only
 
Sunday July 8, 2018
7:00 am               Site opens
7:45 am               Steers/managers meeting
8:00 am               Shriners start cooking pancakes!
8:00 am               Dragon boat racing begins
9:00 am               Vendors open and ready to do business!
11:00 am             Shriners Pancake Breakfast ends
11:10 am             Breast Cancer Challenge races begin
NOON                 Carnation Ceremony – Swy-a-Lana Lagoon
NOON                 Longwood Brewery Beer garden starts pouring!
1:00 pm               Afternoon racing begins            
4:05 pm               Afternoon racing ends
4:00 pm               Panago Awards Ceremony -  Beer Garden
7:00 pm               Longwood Brewery Beer garden closes
 
If you’re looking for a great hotel to stay in during the Dragon Boat Festival, check out the historic Best Western Dorchester Hotel. Situated right downtown near bustling Nanaimo Harbour, it offers excellent views, outstanding service, immaculate rooms and suites and convenient access to all of Nanaimo’s attractions.