2026 Dragon Boat Festival

Planning for the 2026 Festival is well underway and registration will open Wednesday, February 25^th at 12:01 AM.  The first 3 teams to register will win a complimentary dragon boat lake practice.

This year’s event will mark its 25^th anniversary and will take place on Saturday June 13^th, 2026 at Del Crary Park.  The Festival will once again feature Dragon Boat Races, Artisan and Food Vendors, a Family Fun Zone, Beer Garden and much more!

“The planning committee has already kicked off the season” said Michelle Thornton, Festival Chair “and we’ve been brainstorming ways to commemorate our 25^th anniversary this coming June.  For starters, we’ve increased last year’s goal by 25% and we challenge everyone to do the same.  Our goal for 2026 is to raise $325, 018.01 for the PRHC Foundation” said Thornton “and as always, it’s a meaningful one.  As previously noted, to mark our 25^th anniversary, we have increased last year’s goal by 25%.  Coincidently, that comes to $325k, which is representative of the 2 out of 5 Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime.  As always, we want to raise awareness about breast cancer, so the 18 is for the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the .01 is the percentage of men who will also face a breast cancer diagnosis”.

“But most importantly, what’s raised here, stays here”, Thornton added, “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and by paddling together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of family, friends and neighbours in our region, who are facing this rotten disease”.

The event continues to break records year after year, donating an astounding $400,104.01 last year, bringing their overall total donated to the PRHC Foundation to more than 4.9 million dollars.

Hosted by Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has been a community staple event since 2001 when it introduced dragon boat races on Little Lake as part of the “Liberty Mutual Day on the Water” event.  The following year, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival came to life and since then, has become a favourite community event to kick off the summer season.

Survivors Abreast team President, Janice James said they are proud of the outstanding community work the team has done since its inception in 1999.  “We’ve always focused on breast cancer awareness and raising funds for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).  We know first hand the importance of the work the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) does, and their continuing mission to bring the best cancer care the world has to offer, right here to our hospital.”

“Congratulations to Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival! What an achievement it is to be celebrating 25 years of paddling on Little Lake in support of cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. The Festival is an absolutely remarkable testament to what a community can achieve when we all come together for a cause that touches so many lives,” said Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “We are so grateful to every single organizer, paddler, donor, sponsor, volunteer, and member of the Survivors Abreast team who pour their energy, passion and generosity into this wonderful event year after year.  Because of your hard work and dedication, the Festival raises vital funds that directly support

cancer care patients from across our region at PRHC. Our team is looking forward to Festival day and we can’t wait to be together with all of you again in June!”

All pledges support the cause which means the Festival relies on the generosity of local businesses and organizations to cover expenses and provide the best experience possible for participants.  These sponsors are committed to community involvement and the importance of giving back, and organizers are thrilled that Kawartha Credit Union will also celebrate their 25^th anniversary as the event’s Presenting Platinum Sponsor.

“At Kawartha Financial Services, our commitment to the well‑being of our community runs deep, and we are honoured to be the Presenting Sponsor of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival for the 25th consecutive year—especially as we celebrate the festival’s remarkable 25th anniversary,” said Norah McCarthy, President of Kawartha Financial Services (formerly Kawartha Credit Union). “This milestone reflects a shared legacy of compassion, community spirit, and support for local healthcare, and we are proud to continue standing alongside the many teams, volunteers, and partners who make this event such an enduring force for good.”

Registration for the 25th edition of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival opens February 25^th at 12:01 AM and can be done at www.ptbodragonboat.ca.

Participants and supporters are encouraged to engage with the Festival on Facebook and Instagram @ptbodragonboat

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Thornton

Chair – Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival

705-930-7635 or info@ptbodragonboat.ca