By Olivia Shumaker
Special Writer for The Review
Next week’s Dragon on the Lake Festival, Aug. 26-28, should be the perfect antidote for teenage boredom.
New to the event this year is a special teen zone, located on Broadway Street. It will feature demonstrations with BMX bike riders and skateboarders. The Pistons Hoops truck also will be making a visit to the teen area, along with various other activities. Rap music fans can enjoy a teen concert on the main stage on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 4-6 p.m., with performances from performers Brilliance, Louis Hensley and Infinity Hour.
For music that is more inter-generational, the downtown gazebo will feature Dixieland, an Elvis impersonator, a polka band, and other musicians, said Reggie Harrison, director of the Orion Art Center. The weekend-long live performances offer a variety of musical styles to meet all tastes of festival goers.
Younger kids can enjoy the expanded children’s area of the festival the entire weekend. Members of LA Dance will perform with the Chinese Dragon, and other activities include puppet shows, theater group performances, a magic show, story time and more inflatable fun than ever before.
The festival did not forget adults, either. They can have their own fun at the Dragon Pub tent, located near the Orion Art Center. It will be open from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Beer and wine will be served, as well as food from local vendors. On Saturday, the tent will feature live entertainment by the George Brothers from 6:30-8:30 p.m., followed by the Rusty Wright Band at 9 p.m.
In addition to the Chalk Art Challenge, the festival will feature portrait demonstrations, art vendors, and plein air (outdoor) artists, who will choose a place outside – such as a park or the lake ? and paint a view of the area.
‘The whole idea is to have people feel inspired after spending the day at the festival,? said Harrison.