The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival started on Friday with the Eye Dotting ceremony.
It will be a busy weekend in Victoria’s harbour.
The 23rd annual Victoria Dragon Boat Festival kicked off Friday with the Eye Dotting Ceremony at Ships Point. The ceremony included a dragon dance routine and Taoist priests who awoke the dragons.
Sixty-seven racing teams will hit the water starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. The festival will continue on Sunday with a 500-metre race from Laurel Point to the front of the harbour.
Sarah Hunn, the festival general co-ordinator said organizers hope the weather will co-operate for racers.
“Hopefully, it doesn’t get too much more windy than this,” Hunn said on Friday.
“This is a bit windy, but it should be fairly overcast for the rest of the weekend which is what we like. We like calm and not too sunny. Last year it was pretty hot so hopefully, it’s not as hot for paddlers this year.
Teams have travelled to Victoria from as far away as Saskatchewan and California.
Alexa Huffman
