Early Registration nears for Dragon Boat Festival

Preparation for the 2008 Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival is under way and the early registration deadline is approaching for the Sept. 13 race at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City.

“We are capping the number of teams this year at 60,” said Mountain States Dragon Boat Committee Chairman Danny Blackburn, adding a third of the team slots have already been filled. “We encourage everyone interested in entering the race to sign up their team as soon as possible.”

Teams signed on before July 1 save $100 off the regular registration price of $800 for a corporate team and $750 for nonprofit/community teams. A 50 percent deposit is required for registration and the balance is due by Aug. 28.

Regions Bank has signed on to the festival as the presenting sponsor for three years.

“Regions is proud to support the Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival. We appreciate the work that Mountain States does for our community to make it stronger and healthier,” said David Wharton, Northeast Tennessee President for Regions. “Also, the Dragon Boat Festival is such a wonderful family event that we are glad we can be a part of it.“

The Dragon Boat Festival is a daylong event benefiting Niswonger Children’s Hospital, located on the campus of Johnson City Medical Center. Teams come from corporate organizations, churches, clubs, friends and community groups. Each team includes 20 paddlers and one drummer.

In order to paddle, each individual is asked to raise at least $100 to benefit Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Directed and coached by a steersman standing in the rear of the boat, each team races a distance of 250 meters in an attempt to earn the fastest time. Every team will compete in two heats, with the fastest teams competing a third time in the championship round.

Approximately 9,000 people attended the festival in 2007, just the second year of the festival, and planners expect a similar turnout in 2008. Along with the race, other festival events include a Children’s Village, festival food, live music and for the first time this year, a craft village.

For more information, go to http://www.msha.com/foundation or call the Mountain States Foundation office at (423) 952-3110.

Mountain States facilities include Johnson City Medical Center, The Children’s Hospital at JCMC, North Side Hospital, Johnson City Specialty Hospital, James H. & Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital, Woodridge Hospital, a service of JCMC, all in Washington County, Tenn.; Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Carter County, Tenn.; Johnson County Community Hospital, Mountain City, Tenn.; Indian Path Medical Center and Indian Path Pavilion in Sullivan County; Tenn.; Smyth County Community Hospital in Smyth County, Va.; Norton Community Hospital, Norton, Va.; Dickenson Community Hospital, Clintwood, Va.; Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon, Va.; Blue Ridge Medical Management Corp. (operating the First Assist Urgent Care centers, ValuCare Clinics in Food City stores and numerous primary care offices) and Medical Center HomeCare and Hospice Services, Mediserve and Hospice Services throughout the Tri-Cities region.

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