FORT DODGE — A distant drum beat rises steadily over Badger Lake at Webster County’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Rhythmic chants erupt from the long boats as paddlers slice through the water in a race to the finish.

It’s time for the dragon to awaken once again as the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Association prepares for its annual festival, slated for Friday and Saturday at Kennedy Park.

Co-chairs Linda Donner and Barb Michaels have a little bit of the dragon living in their souls. Now in its 27th year, the two Fort Dodge women have teamed up to lead the event for more than 20 years — and show no signs of slowing down yet. Rather, they are working hard to make the Dragon Boat Festival bigger and better, this year offering free admission to the public, courtesy of strong sponsor support.

“We could not do this without really great support from the sponsors,” Michaels said.

It’s that financial support that opens the gate for free on Friday night for visitors to come out and enjoy a street dance type festival with local band Renegade Soul performing.

“We’re setting it up a little different this year,” Donner said. “We’re hoping that it will help keep everyone together more and make sure they have a good time.”

While the Friday night band has traditionally performed down the hill, near the lake, this year organizers are putting everything closer together, just up from the beach. The band will be set up on the parking lot, allowing room for dancers to safely kick up their heels. Concession stands, including a variety of food, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, will be open nearby.

“We’re very happy that we can support a local band,” Donner said.

Renegade Soul has a strong local following for its rock and roll sound.

Another new partnership this year is with the parents group at St. Edmond Catholic School. For the last few years, volunteers from St. Edmond helped in a variety of aspects, and so this year the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Association made the partnership more official.

Teams from Minnesota, Kansas, and Wisconsin have become regulars at the local dragon boat festival. Likewise, local teams, The Dragons and Fighting Angels Abreast, regularly travel to other events to support the communities that travel to Fort Dodge. The local teams have even competed overseas, from Canada to Germany, and a myriad of other locations.

Badger Lake has become a popular place because of the flat water and ideal racing conditions. At about 300 meters, the race is shorter than the many 500 meter races, but that also means that teams can compete in more heats. While at some events, teams may get only one or two races in, here in Webster County most teams will compete at least three times.

Each team requires 20 paddlers, a sternsman and a drummer. Organizers provide a sternsman to steer for the local teams.

New teams are always welcome and can sign up on the website. There is also a youth competition, no teams required. Youth from 11 to 17 will receive basic instruction, a life vest, and be paired up with other youth to compete as one team.

Learning how to work as a team is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of dragon boating. Likewise, volunteers work within the community to benefit the community. The silent auction to benefit the local center in Fort Dodge is dear to the hearts of volunteers.

“All proceeds benefit the UnityPoint Cancer Center,” Donner said. “We are very happy that 100 percent of the proceeds stay to help in the local community.”

Bidding will start for the silent auction on Friday evening and continue throughout much of the day on Saturday. As always, there will be a breast cancer ceremony during the lunch break on Saturday, with winning bids to be announced that day.

Free music, fun, and a chance to benefit a local cause, that’s what keeps the Dragon Boat Association pulling hard to make the festival a success, year after year.

To learn more, or to sign up as a volunteer or form a team, visit the association’s website at badgerlakedragonboating.com.

Schedule of Events

Friday

5:30 p.m.: gates open, team dinner begins

6 p.m.: silent auction opens for UnityPoint Cancer Center, Fort Dodge

6:45 p.m.: presentation of colors

6:50 p.m.: introduction of teams, awakening of dragon ceremony

7:30 p.m.: Renegade Soul takes the stage, evening ends with fireworks

Saturday

8:30 a.m.: captain’s meeting

9 a.m.: racing begins, silent auction continues

Approximately noon: Breast cancer ceremony during lunch

Approximately 3 p.m.: awards ceremony follows conclusion of racing