Banff National Park Dragon Boat Festival

Held at spectacular Lake Minnewanka, the races will feature boats with teams of 22 paddlers, a drummer and steers person in heats of 200 and 500 metre stints and a selection of specialty cup races. The festival kicks off on Friday with the traditional Eye Dotting Ceremony where Buddhist monks bless the Dragon Boats. This ancient ritual of “awakening the dragon” is done by painting the eyes on each of the Dragon Boat Figureheads to call forth their spirits.