Dragon on the Lake Festival - Dragon Boat Races

Dragon on the Lake Festival's dragon boat races take place at Green's Park on Lake Orion, Michigan, as the signature event and largest annual fundraiser of the Orion Art Center. A high-school "Dragon Showdown" runs Saturday afternoon, followed by the main event Sunday: teams of 14-20 paddlers plus a drummer and steerer race 300 meters over a guaranteed minimum of three heats to win the Dragon Trophy. Team entry costs $1,200 and includes boats, paddles, and life jackets; the wider Dragon on the Lake festival (art fair, 5K, lighted boat parade) runs Aug 27-30, 2026.