By By EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
NILES -The eighth annual Dragon Boat Challenge begins Saturday Aug. 6, at 9 a.m. during the Niles Riverfest.
The festivities will kick off with the Awakening of the Dragon ceremony tonight at 6 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, all participants in the Dragon Boat Challenge will be given the opportunity to practice and test their skills.
Each boat will consist of 18 paddlers and one drummer. Two teams will speed down the river in each heat competing for the best time.
In the Chinese tradition, many believed that dragon boat racing would ensure prosperous and plentiful crops. The races usually took place during the Summer Solstice when disease and famine were rapidly increasing due to high temperatures and continually inadequate refrigeration and sanitation devices.
Other events on the Riverfest schedule include:
Friday, Aug. 5
Noon "Anything That Floats" Raft Decorating Event, Boat ramp behind Niles Police Station
1 p.m. Open Microphone-any type of entertainment open to general public (pre-registration required), Riverfront Park Amphitheater
3 p.m. Black Velvet Band-classic rock-and-roll band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
5:30 p.m. Phil Hornet-rock-and-roll band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
6:30 p.m. Niles Riverfest Opening Ceremony, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
7 p.m. Awakening of the Dragon ceremony and practice session by the JOOI Club, Riverfront Park boat launch
8 p.m. Soul Shaker-rock-and-roll band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Saturday, Aug. 6
8 a.m. Pancake breakfast sponsored by Friends of Niles/Riverfest, Inc.
8 a.m. Fifth Third Bank/YMCA 5K Run/Walk Registration, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
9 a.m. Dragon Boat competition, Riverfront Park boat launch
9 a.m. Arts &Crafts booths open, Riverfront Park
9 a.m. Fifth Third Bank/YMCA 5K Run/Walk Race, Riverfront Park Amphitheater Awards presented immediately afterwards at Riverfront Park Trail
9 a.m. Wood N' Nickel- bluegrass band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
9 a.m. AAA Tenth Annual All Car and Truck Show, Riverfront Park North Stage 11 a.m. Outdoor Channel's Win Your Own Fishing Show auditions, Riverfront Park
Auditions will be held until 5 p.m. Must be at least 18 years of age to audition.
Noon The Stray Horns-classic rock-and-roll band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
2 p.m. "Anything That Floats Raft Race," St. Joseph River along Riverfront Park
3:15 p.m. Soul Rider-rock-and-roll band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
4 p.m. AAA Tenth Annual All Car and Truck Show awards, Riverfront Park North Stage
7 p.m. Stage Fright Remedy-folk/pop band, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
7 p.m. Dragon Boat results and awards, Riverfront Park boat launch
7 p.m. "Anything That Floats" Raft Race results and awards, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
8 p.m.Generations-extravaganza concert and show, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Sunday, Aug. 7
7 a.m. Pancake breakfast sponsored by Friends of Niles/Riverfest, Inc.
9 a.m. Christian Service-Church of Niles, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
11 a.m. Arts &Crafts booths open, Riverfront Park
11:30 a.m. Balos Family Gospel Singers-gospel group, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Noon Outdoor Channel's Win Your Own Fishing Show auditions, Riverfront Park
Auditions will be held until 6:30 p.m. Must be at least 18 years of age to audition.
1 p.m. Jetta &The Jelly Beans - children's rock-and-roll show sponsored by the Niles Community Library, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
3 p.m. Irv Cass - Elvis impersonator, Riverfront Park Amphitheater
6:30 p.m. Church of Niles - Christian music, Riverfront Park Amphitheater