Paddlers were in heated competition during the 12th annual Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival held at Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport. This year’s recent event benefits the Circle of Hope, a Mountain States Foundation program that raises money to help cancer patients.
The boats, which are brought in for the festival from Nova Scotia, have a traditional Chinese design and are decorated to resemble a dragon. Often celebrated in Western culture, dragon boat racing has become an international sport requiring skill and water craftsmanship. A team of paddlers – led by a drummer who sits in the front of the boat – uses strength and coordination to race against competing boats.
The annual festival is a celebration of fun and competition for the whole family.
Competitors race to the finish line during the Dragon Boat Festival at Warriors Path State Park.
A group of pirates take in the festivities.
Bell Flew Bayou Once, representing Bell Helicoptors, was the winning team.
Members of the Sullivan Central High School band participate in the festivities.
