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Community Corner

Row, Row, Row Your Dragon Boat: Teams Needed to Compete in Annual Dragon on the Lake Races

The Orion Art Center is now accepting applications for the dragon boat races Aug. 25 and 26.

Picture this: 20 people are lined together in a 41-foot boat, paddling together in unison across the water, as a drummer beats his instrument in order to set the pace. Each team is vying to be the first to cross the finish line.

It's called dragon boat racing, and it's being hailed as the ultimate team-building challenge, requiring focus, communication and cooperation... and it's coming to Lake Orion.

The annual Dragon on the Lake Festival is set for Aug. 24-26.

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If dragon boat racing sounds like your kind of fun, sign up to compete in the wildly popular Festival races. Participants are invited to build teams with friends, coworkers or other organizations. Don't worry about being an elite athlete either, the event is suitable for those of all skill levels.

The , sponsor of the Festival, suggests teams take their registration efforts a bit further and ask for sponsorship from an organization of their choice, working to raise funds and awareness for a special cause.

Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cost to participate in the dragon boat races is $45 per team member or $945 per team of 21 members.  Participants must be 14 or older and may form their own teams of up to 21 members or register individually to be placed on a team. Entrance fee includes a one-hour practice session on Aug. 25, use of a Dragon Boat, life vests, paddles as well as entrance into the race. No prior training or experience is needed.

To register for a dragon boat, payments can be made online at www.dragononthelake.com. For more information, contact the Orion Art Center at (248) 693-4986.

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