By Jim Newell
Review Editor
ORION TWP. — The Dragon on the Lake festival, one of the signature events in Lake Orion, returns Aug. 24-27 and features the activities the community has come to know and love.
The 14th annual Dragon on the Lake festival activities include the Dragon boat races, art and craft fair, kids’ area, chalk art challenge, musical performances in the Dragon Pub – plus a second annual student-athlete Dragon boat competition between local high school sports teams.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 27 on Broadway, Flint and Front streets in downtown Lake Orion.
Lighted Boat Parade
The Lake Orion Lake Association hosts the Lighted Boat Parade beginning at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25. Spectators can watch from Green’s Park as decorated boats float by the park.
Registration can be found at dragononthelake.com.
Dragon Boat Races
The traditional Dragon Boat Races begin at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 27 with the opening ceremonies. Races begin at 9:45 a.m. in Green’s Park off of M-24.
Teams will compete throughout the day with 20 paddlers and one drummer racing 300 meters to see who will raise the coveted Dragon Trophy.
A flower ceremony to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, offer hope to those still battling the disease and honor those who have lost their fight begins around 12:15 p.m.
Dragon Boat Showdown
This free race involves high school clubs, teams and groups who will race and compete for
the title of Dragon Boat Showdown Champs. The Lake Orion High School varsity football team are defending champs. The races after noon on Aug. 26 in Green’s Park.
Little Dragon Den – Kids Zone
This year’s Little Dragon Den has offerings for kids of all ages. The Kids Stage will feature performances from Amazing Clark, Zippity Two Dads, Juggler Tim Salisbury, story time with the Lake Orion Library, a Dancing Fire Dragon and demonstrations from the Lake Orion Robotics Team.
Guests can tie-dye a signature Dragon on the Lake t-shirt or enjoy a free craft from the Orion Art Center or the Detroit Institute of Arts, explore the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Mobile Education Unit, visit the book mobile from the Orion Township Public Library, learn from the Lake Orion Robotics Club and enjoy activities and games from Oakland County Parks.
Chalk Art Challenge
Artists can claim the concrete as their canvas and enter the 2023 Chalk Art Challenge on Aug. 26. Chalk artists will compete for more than $1,000 in prize money. No experience is necessary.
With individual, team and student divisions, there are opportunities for all community members to get involved. Register at dragononthelake.com.
Art and Craft Fair
The Art and Craft Fair features artists specializing in woodworking, painting, ceramics, 3D printing, jewelry, sculpture. Visit the website to see a current list of artists who will be at this year’s festival.
Merchant Marketplace
The Merchant Marketplace at Dragon on the Lake offers a shopping experience for all festival-goers. Shop food vendors offering coffee, fudge, honey, freeze-dried candy, fresh lemonade and treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Enjoy perusing the books, clothing, personal care products and other available items from a wide array of vendors.
Dragon Pub
The Dragon Pub opens at 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 for Ladies Night, featuring country music and line dancing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit New Day Foundation.
The pub will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight on Aug. 25, with Sunset Boulevard performing, and Aug. 26 with local favorites the Square Pegz returning to the stage. The Dragon Pub is in the Children’s Park parking lot off of Anderson Street. A portion of the proceeds will benefit
Dragon on the Lake is the Orion Art Center’s largest fundraiser of the year and supports the Art Center’s mission to bring artistic experiences to the Orion community. Online: dragononthelake.com and orionartcenter.org.