Right Around the River Blog
Dragon Boat Festival Attracts Thousands to Rocketts Landing
Post Date: 08-02-2011
On July 30, over 3,000 spectators flocked to Rocketts Landing for the 2nd annual Dragon Boat Festival along the James River -- and what an event we had! Rocketts Landing residents came out in droves to celebrate the dragon boats, cheering from their balconies and the community pool, as well as toasting drinks from patios at Conch Republic Rocketts and The Boathouse.
Plus, our Rocketts Landing dragon boat team rocked the races. Not only did The Rockett Ship take 2nd and 3rd place in two heats, the event provided an incredible team-building experience for our employees and residents, alike.
"Racing in the Dragon Boat Festival was amazing," says Blakeley Newbill, Rocketts Landing employee and dragon boat captain. “The camaraderie between residents and management staff was just great! We worked very well together and everyone was very motivated.”
Motivation and camaraderie are key components of a successful dragon boat race, and based on the endless cheering from spectators along the river and rhythmic rowing from participants, everyone was taking their fun seriously.
Participating dragon boat teams included local corporations and associations, as well as regional competitive dragon boat clubs. Snagajob.com, The Boathouse Restaurants, Virginia Credit Union, Mekong Is for Beer Lovers and Anthem were among a few of the local competitors. Dragon Boat Charleston from Charleston, S.C., took first place in the Premier Mixed Division A and the BB&T Riverrockers team (BB&T Markets/Scott & Stringfellow) took the Best Local Richmond Team Award. Both winning teams received a free entry into the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival at Walt Disney World in October.
The event also featured compelling ceremonies and performances: the Chinese Dotting of the Eyes (awakening of the dragon) opened the event, later followed by kung fu and Chinese folk dances; and a moving tribute from the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation honored women currently battling cancer and those who lost their lives to the disease. To honor them, cancer survivors threw pink carnations into the river from a dragon boat.
And when we asked Blakeley if the Rocketts team wanted to row in the Dragon Boat Festival next year, her sentiments echoed the event’s success:
“Absolutely, 110 percent with the same team; we loved it! We’re trying to buy a dragon boat for Rocketts, so if anyone wants to donate us a boat, let us know!”
While we're not sure purchasing a boat is in the cards for Rocketts Landing, we look forward to participating for years to come!
