Apr. 18—BEMIDJI — As organizers prepare for the 20th Annual
Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival
this summer, there’s hope for its continued operations beyond this milestone of a year.
Kicking off in 2006, the
Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce
and
Bemidji Rotary Club
have formed a close partnership via the festival that has flourished over the years.
Gary Johnson, Brian Bissonette and Scott Turn have all been there since the beginning. Alongside their team, the trio drew inspiration from the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior, Wisconsin, in which paddlers take to their oars along Barker’s Island.
Arguably, Bemidji’s greatest commodity offered the chance for a similar event on Lake Bemidji.
“What we had was a beautiful waterfront that we could really emphasize,” Johnson said. “It wasn’t really a discussion about how much money we could make. It was really about showing off our waterfront and impacting our community.”
While it’s not about the money, the festival still serves as an economic booster for downtown Bemidji in particular, with financial impact growing over the years.
The festival started off merely as a parade on a Friday and races on Saturday, but has since grown to a four-day affair. Along the way, other events have been added to the festivities, including the Sanford Health Taco Fest, 5K and 1/2K Kids Fun Run, Cornhole Tournament and a race day breakfast.
Turn notes that around 10,000 people frequent Bemidji’s downtown throughout the span of the festival. At the heart of it all, local organizations reap real benefits of each event.
Bissonette estimates that close to $1 million has been raised for a variety of groups throughout the festival’s tenure.
Citing the Taco Fest, roughly $20,000 to $35,000 has been raised, depending on the year, with proceeds benefiting the United Way of the Bemidji Area. The 5K event often raises $5,000 to $6,000 annually for the Bemidji High School Track and Cross Country Teams.
“That’s not peanuts,” Bissonette said. “That’s made an impact.”
“As much work as it is to do this event,” Johnson added, “that’s what motivates us.”
It definitely takes work to hold the festival each year, and a strong volunteer force is essential to a successful event.
About 200 to 250 volunteers dedicate their time each year, with many offering their help the week of the festival itself. Set-up, beer tent, take-down and a smattering of other opportunities make up 30 distinct volunteer roles, including work on the festival’s planning committee.
Currently, about eight active members comprise the committee, with hopes to at least double the committee’s size. Similar aspirations exist for race entrants; both factions require commitment.
“A team is a commitment, and it does take some effort,” Bissonette said. “It’s basically 20 people for at least two or three days, and that’s going to be a challenge in the summertime.”
Organizers noted an “ebb and flow” in the number of teams from year to year, with entrants falling short of pre-pandemic levels.
Last year’s festival boasted just over 30 teams, compared to prior years’ 40-team force and above, and an all-time high of 72. Discussions on how to “reinvigorate” the festival — or hang up the paddles altogether — were tangible following the 2025 festival, which came mere weeks after
the June 21 derecho.
“We try to take in all the different factors of why a year goes the way it does, good or bad,” Bissonette added. “We had the storm about a month out, so it’s really hard to judge the impact, but we did have a perfect weather week.”
Given the 2025 festival’s decreased team numbers, fewer spectators were counted, as well. Organizers are focused on team recruitment and welcome additional nonprofits and community groups to get involved, with the aim to regrow.
Despite lower numbers, organizers recognize how good they have it. Turn notes that the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival is the largest such festival in Minnesota, and the only one in the United States that serves as a broader community event.
He added that similar events in the Twin Cities and Las Vegas see fewer boats than in Bemidji.
“We’ve set a high bar for ourselves,” Turn said. “Even in the 30s, we’re still kind of spoiled.”
Bemidji’s festival has even served as an international affair. At its peak, up to four Canadian teams have participated as well as a team from the Philippines a couple of years ago.
Such presence reflects the broader pull of the event since its inception. As it heads into its 20th year, the trio reflected on their respective times with the festival, with each year serving as a family affair.
Many of their children have assisted with volunteer efforts and long waited to turn 12, the minimum age to ride a dragon boat.
“We all remember when our kids were this tall,” Turn said while gesturing to his hip. “Now, they’re driving and we’re 20 years older.”
The trio shared a similar goal of handing the reins to the younger generations so they can derive the same experiences with their families.
“We need more key volunteers who can help move us forward, bring new ideas, and eventually replace us,” Bissonette left off. “This is a known event for Bemidji, so hopefully, we can keep this going in perpetuity.”
This year’s festival will be shortened to a three-day event, set for July 30-Aug. 1. Team registration is now open, with teams saving $100 if registering by June 1.
Teams are made up of 16 to 20 paddlers and a drummer. A minimum of eight female paddlers per team is required. Anyone ages 12 and older can participate.
No experience is necessary, and all equipment and a steerperson will be provided. Each team will have two practices the week of the event.
More information can be found on the
Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival website.
