Racing, community, and charity are at the forefront of the Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival.
The popular event will bring 48 teams together to compete in Hong Kong-style races Sept. 19 on the Avon River.
Proceeds will go towards initiatives supported by the local Rotary Club.
In terms of what is news this year, the club has announced the Community Team Challenge, a peer-to-peer fundraising initiative where registered teams raise extra funds for the Local Community Food Centre and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
Funds will be shared equally between the two organizations, according to officials.
Festival chair Robert Ritz said every team racing, every volunteer working, and every community member coming out to cheer contributes to something much bigger than a day of racing.
A few spots are still open for teams to register. The festival is free to attend.
