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Current Conditions 25.7°C

Saturday 09-Aug-2025 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Venue

Riverside Park beach & pier
100 Lorne Street V2C1V9 Phone Number: (236) 313-0550

Event Description

The annual Kamloops Dragon Boat Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this Saturday August 9, 2025, at the Riverside Park beach starting at 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. Festival runs same time as Ribfest. Three Kamloops dragon boat paddling clubs will be competing - the Kamloops Dragon Boat Club (KDBC) (all adult ages), the Kamloops Interior Dragons Society team KIDS) (ages 50 and up), and the Kamloops Spirit Warriors (women currently battling or survived breast cancer). They will complete against 15 teams from throughout BC in 500 metre courses, with 4 boats per race, on the South Thompson River. Lisa Thompson, President, KDBC: “We started in 1995 as the River Spirit Canoe Club Regatta which is now a dragon boat festival sponsored and organized by the Kamloops Sports Council. Races take place in front of the Riverside Park beach and pier. Spectators can watch and listen to great music for free while they savour their ribs, chicken and drinks from Ribfest.” The Kamloops Spirit Warriors Pink Carnation Ceremony will take place on the beach around 10:00 am for 15 minutes. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony consisting of a dedicated poem and song. Grace LaBossiere, Spirit Warrior since 2010 and 23 year survivor of breast cancer: “The Pink Carnation Ceremony is a hallmark event that celebrates survivors of breast cancer, encourages those battling the disease, and offers support for those who've lost significant loved ones and friends to cancer. It's a moving ceremony for paddlers and spectators alike." Free pink carnations, that represent those who survived and those who did not, are distributed to teams and spectators, in support. The KIDS team boasts a Give-It-A-Try initiative that encourages men and women 50 years and older to try paddling as a team sport that supports physical and mental health. Trudy Goold, paddler and vice president : “The Kamloops Dragon Boat Festival is always a fantastic event! Sun, sand and paddling on the beautiful South Thompson River!” All teams will load into the dragon boats on the beach and start their races from upriver, and the finish line is near the pier. A timed 1,500 metres race will take place towards the end of the festival followed by the Kamloops Sports Council’s awards presentation for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. For more information, see Kamloops Sports Council’s website. Paddles Up!

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