Big Brothers Big Sisters organized a dragon boat team for the second annual dragon boat races at Lake Lure. The Lure of the Dragons dragon boat race and festival is on Saturday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Paddlers race on the Rocky Broad River at Lake Lure Morse Park, on the right just past the Lake Lure beach. Twenty teams will be racing in friendly competitions in this fastest growing team sport in the world.

The festival also features Asian-American and Southern culture with food, crafts, music, dance and a giant inflatable playground. Chinese lion and sword dancers, mountain cloggers, Japanese&bsp; musicians, and martial arts will entertain festival-goers.

The event is a fundraiser for local children. In support of its mission to improve the quality of life and future of regional children, the Lake Lure Dragon Boat Racing organization selected six area organizations as the 2009 beneficiaries, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk and Henderson Counties.

Area residents are encouraged to attend the Lake Lure Dragon Boat Race and Festival and cheer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters team.

‐ article submitted