Princeton NJ Non-Profit Press Releases

Spring Brings Back Dragon Boating to Mercer Lake

The Machestic Dragons, “New Jersey’s first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team,” celebrates spring by returning their dragon boat to Mercer County Park Lake for their ninth season. This team of survivors and supporters encourages new members to join in this invigorating water sport. You do not need to be an athlete to participate and experience is not necessary.

One of the best community events held at Mercer County Park is the “Paddle for Pink” dragon boat festival, hosted by the Machestic Dragons. “Paddle for Pink” is New Jersey’s largest community dragon boat festival and 2010 marks its fourth anniversary at Mercer County Park. The festival, occurring this year on Sunday June 6, raises money for a local charity, YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC). There is never a charge for the numerous services provided by the BCRC, which include counseling, education, water aerobics, gentle yoga, art therapy and much more.

Last year’s event attracted 46 teams, their families and supporters. This year’s festival expects to draw 60 teams and promises to be even more exciting. Many newly formed area educator and business teams have chosen to compete this year, as well as students from local high schools.  Also attending will be a dragon boat team comprising breast cancer survivors from neighboring states.

On June 6, Mercer Lake will be brimming with dragon boat teams of all levels of expertise, from the laid back and the fun loving to the highly competitive.  And when not on the water, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the land as well, in the form of music, entertainment, shopping, and much more. Fifteen minute dragon boat rides will be provided throughout the day for children and adults. Returning this year is Seabrook, NJ’s Hoh Daiko Drummers with their stirring rhythms and group participation. And as always, there will be cultural ceremonies and dance teams, along with a 50/50 raffle drawing, and a silent auction.

The Machestics are soliciting for community participation, hoping to gather families, friends, coworkers and students to fill a boat for charity while competing for medals.  People of all ages are invited to either form teams of 16 to 22, or to register as individual paddlers. Many teams will require individual paddlers to fill their boats. Either way you have the opportunity to compete in a fun event that benefits local families who have been affected by breast cancer.

The Machestic Dragons welcome hands-on support from organizations and individuals as well as donations to make this festival fruitful.

The cost for entering a team in PFP is $750. After April 30 the cost is $800. For individuals to enter the cost is $40. You will receive one coached practice on the water and will be provided with the equipment needed.

Machestic Dragons president Terry Coleman invites you to visit their website to get a better understanding of what they represent, www.machesticdragons.org

To register for Paddle for Pink go to www.paddleforpink.org or call 732-890-6136.