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Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival returns with in-person event on June 11

Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival returns with in-person event on June 11

The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival will return to Little Lake and Del Crary Park on June 11 after not being held in-person for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration will open at 12:01 a.m. on Friday at ptbodragonboat.ca.

It’s the 21st edition of the event, which raises funds for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation in support of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

It was cancelled in 2020 and held virtually last year, raising more than $95,000. COVID-19 protocols based on local and provincial guidelines will be in place.

“We are committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all attendees and we have been working hard to update our safety protocols,” festival chair Michelle Thornton stated in a release.

A “fundracing” division will be set up for teams or people who are unable to participate in person.

“Proceeds of the 2022 Festival will allow Peterborough Regional Health Centre to invest in new state-of-the-art equipment and technology to serve more cancer patients, support earlier cancer diagnosis, and provide safer, more effective treatments,” said PRHC Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway.

Planned amenities for race day include the One Stop Dragon Boat Shop, a Family Fun Zone, the Dragon’s Lair, Loft and Nest luxurious tent experience for the top three fundraising teams, the Vendor Village Market with more than 40 vendors, the Thirsty Dragon beer garden and the flower ceremony open to the community at large to honour their loved ones.

The first three teams to register will win a free extra practice in a dragon boat on Little Lake.