It’s about the dragon, of course. It’s about live family entertainment, games and activities for kids and food from local eateries.
It’s about the much-anticipated Dragon Boat Racing and the lighted boat parade, both new this year.
But, said Reggie Harrison, director of the Orion Art Center, the Dragon on the Lake Festival is also about bringing art to the community.
The festival – set for Aug. 28-29 in downtown Lake Orion and hosted by the OAC – features the Chalk Art Challenge, a crowd favorite at last year’s inaugural event, as well as an all-media art exhibit and art vendor booths.
Participants in the Chalk Art Challenge will have the opportunity to earn cash prizes in three categories: Best of show, best use of dragon theme and youth winner.
There’s no fee to participate said Harrison, noting a-48 count box of high-quality soft pastels are available at the OAC for $10, or artists can use their own supplies.
Dragons, Lakes and Legends All-Media Show will be the featured exhibit at the OAC from Aug. 28 through Sept. 23.
Artists can enter up to three pieces, and compete for $500 in prize money.
Winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 28 during the Dragon Pub festivities.
Further, said Harrison, artist vendors are invited to occupy a 10×10 space at the weekend festival, which, she estimated, will have an attendance of 3,000-5,000 per day.
Booth space is $200 for the weekend, but artists who are available to demonstrate their art form get a 50 percent discount.
The Dragon on the Lake Festival will also feature children’s art, and a display of dragon logo entries.
New additions to this year’s Dragon on the Lake are Dragon Boat racing on Lake Orion – there’s still time to get your team together, Harrison noted – a lighted Boat Parade, and the ‘Dragon Pub’ beverage tent, open 11 a.m. -10 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday evening the pub will feature live music from 5-10 pm and a dragon tattoo contest, with cash prizes, at 7:45 pm.
Visit www.dragononthelake.com for links to sponsor websites.
Artists interested in entering the chalk art challenge or renting a vendor booth space can register at www.dragononthelake.com, where links to sponsor websites are also available. Applications for the all-media show are available at www.orionartcenter.org, with drop off dates being August 12-14.
Call the Orion Art Center at 248-693-4986 for more information.