The eighth annual Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival is set to return to Mercer County Park Lake.
The Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival is New Jersey’s largest community Dragon Boat Festival and is hosted by the Machestic Dragons, New Jersey’s first breast cancer survivor’s dragon boat team.
Paddle for Pink celebrates the eighth anniversary of the race and festival with fun on and off the water of Mercer Lake. Each year the event has grown in participation and support, PFP is known to provide an exciting day for paddlers and spectators alike.
Last year, 50 teams competed in the races. Twenty paddlers make up a dragon boat team and race against other teams in their division.
Teams of educators, neighbors, friends, students, business sponsored teams and semi-professionals compete for medals and bragging rights while helping to support this charitable cause. In 2013, 8 breast cancer survivor teams participated from the tri-state region.
Registration fee is $950 for a team. Participants can also register as a group or individual will be matched with a team. All registered teams may schedule one practice on the water with coaching and equipment provided by the Machestics.
The festival benefits local families affected by breast cancer, this years beneficiaries are Breast Cancer Resource Center of Princeton, where there is never a charge for services provided to breast cancer patients and survivors, along with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick.
On land enjoy live music and entertainment, cultural dance and ceremonies, a silent auction, and food. Vendors may reserve a space to support this cause. There will also be a 50/50 raffle drawing,
The Machestic Dragons welcome volunteer hands-on support from organizations and individuals as well as donations to make this festival fruitful.
The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21 at Mercer Lake’s Finish Tower Field Area.
More information is online at paddleforpink.org.
