SOLOMONS, Md. — The Patuxent River came alive this past weekend as the ninth annual Solomons Dragon Boat Festival brought together neighbors, businesses and community groups for a full day of racing and waterfront celebration. The festival has grown into one of Calvert County’s signature summer traditions, blending cultural heritage with hometown spirit.
Awakening the Dragons
The festivities began Friday evening with the Dotting of the Eye Ceremony at Our Lady Star of the Sea School. In the age-old tradition, participants dipped brushes in red paint and dotted the eyes of each dragon boat, symbolically “awakening” the colorful vessels for competition. The ritual, which traces back more than 2,000 years to southern China, is said to give the dragons strength, vision and protection on the water.
A Day of Racing and Festivities
By Saturday morning, teams lined the riverbank ready to race. More than 30 crews — made up of local businesses, nonprofits, cancer survivors and first-time paddlers — piled into the long, ornately decorated boats. With a drummer keeping rhythm at the bow and a professional steerer guiding the stern, the vessels sliced through the Patuxent in 200-meter bursts.
Winners Take the Water
The competition crowned champions across several divisions:
- Community Division Championship: Annapolis Dragon Boat Club’s mixed team claimed gold, while Just Floating TaylOARs 1 and 2 secured silver and bronze.
- Breast Cancer Survivor Division: GoPink!DC took the top spot, with Annapolis Dragon Boat Club earning silver.
- Paradragon Division: Out of Sight Dragons captured gold.
Organizers also gave special recognition to Just Floating TaylOARs Boat 1, which posted the fastest time of the day — 1:03.82 — in its first qualifying heat.
Drummers Steal the Show
Beyond paddling, drummers added personality to the races, and the crowd made sure their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. This year’s Best Dressed Drummer went to the BAE Systems team, BAEwatch, whose drummer sported a blue shark floaty that quickly became a fan favorite. The award was determined by community donations, with her overflowing bucket helping to raise funds for the cause.
Festival organizers also gave a nod to the youngest drummer of the day, dressed head-to-toe in a dragon suit, whose enthusiasm captured the spirit of the event.
Fun Beyond the Water
Off the water, attendees enjoyed the Vendor Village full of crafts, artisan goods, specialty “dragon” drinks and food trucks, as well as a Dragon’s Nest Kid Zone featuring a petting zoo, activities for children including infants and toddlers, and face painting.
The races drew cheers from the shore as families set up lawn chairs, kids waved hand-painted signs and food vendors kept the crowd fed with everything from barbecue to frozen treats. Between heats, children flocked to the Dragon’s Nest play area, where a petting zoo and face painting kept the youngest festivalgoers entertained.
A Festival of Community
The Solomons Dragon Boat Festival closed as it began — rooted in tradition, unity and community spirit. With its 10th anniversary on the horizon, the milestone promises not only another weekend of racing on the Patuxent but also a celebration of the teams, volunteers and neighbors who have made the event a highlight of Calvert County’s summer season.
Learn more at somdcr.org.
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