By Lauren Dinneweth
Special to the Review
Lake Orion- Dragons will rise again on Lake Orion, as Dragon on the Lake, the popular community festival returns this summer.
‘We have a full weekend of activities planned. The great thing about this event is that it really embodies the spirit of community with activities for the whole family,? Lauren Dinneweth said, Director of the Orion Art Center, the nonprofit organization that produces the festival.
Dragon on the Lake is a celebration of art, music and Lake Orion’s century old legend of the dragon. An estimated 15,000 people attended Dragon on the Lake last year. It will be held the weekend of August 22-24.
The Dragon Boat Races on Lake Orion are a weekend highlight. Dinneweth says spaces fill up quickly but there’s still time to register. ‘We have racers from all over metro Detroit and Canada as well as Lake Orion. Teams come from neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and those rowing for a cause, like cancer survivor groups.?
Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Twenty people join together in a 40-foot boat, all paddling together, while a drummer keeps the pace.
At dusk Lake Orion is ablaze with color as boats covered with lights follow a fire-breathing dragon around Lake Orion and compete for prizes.
The weekend kicks off Friday, August 22nd with a 5K evening run through Lake Orion to benefit Help Kids Succeed, which provides clothing, supplies and other essentials to children in need. The run is organized by the Lake Orion United Methodist Church and sponsored by Crittenton Hospital.
Also Friday night there will be a charity Casino at the festival’s Dragon Pub, hosted in partnership with the Lake Orion Knights of Columbus. The evening will include Black Jack, Roulette, and Texas Hold ’em. The Casino takes place 7-11:30pm Friday night.
Downtown Lake Orion will feature the Lakeside Living Art Show. Over 50 national and local artists will sell and showcase their work near Flint and Broadway with a stage for artists to demonstrate their work. Artists can also compete in the Chalk Art Challenge in the streets of downtown. The contest offers $500 in prizes.
The festival also includes 3 stages of entertainment- a main stage in the Dragon Pub, the Art Stage, and a stage in the Kidz Zone in the area surrounding the Orion Art Center. On Saturday night, the main stage will feature 80’s rock with the popular Detroit based Square Pegz.
Please visit DragonontheLake.com or call the Orion Art Center at (248) 693-4986 for details.