The Acworth Cobb Dragon Boat Festival brings dragon boat racing to Dallas Landing Park for a day of paddling, drums, bright boats, and the kind of friendly competition that can make you discover your inner Viking.
Dragon boat racing features long, colorful boats with dragon heads and tails, powered by paddlers moving in sync while a drummer keeps the rhythm from the front. Each boat also has a trained steers person at the back.
The sport began more than 2,000 years ago in ancient China and is now practiced around the world. At the Acworth festival, teams race in 10 seat and 20 seat dragon boats, with local cities, companies, organizations, cancer survivor teams, youth teams, senior teams, and individual participants taking part.
Racing With A Purpose
The festival raises funds for cancer outreach programs in the local area. Proceeds have benefited Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, which provides support groups, education, and financial assistance for cancer patients in seven northwestern metro Atlanta counties. Funding has also gone to Camp Sunshine, a Georgia nonprofit that offers recreational, educational, and support programs for children with cancer and their families.
The event also includes a rose ceremony during the lunch break to honor cancer survivors and remember those lost to cancer. It is a meaningful part of the day, set between races, paddles, drums, and the occasional team discovering that rowing in unison is harder than it looked from shore.
How Teams Compete
Teams are formed by selecting a team captain, recruiting paddlers, setting a fundraising goal, and registering online. Team captains handle registration, invite team members, coordinate practice times, and manage race day details such as tents, chairs, decorations, and shirts.
A 20 seat boat includes up to 20 paddlers and one drummer, with room for up to 25 people on the roster. A 10 seat boat includes up to 10 paddlers and one drummer, with room for up to 15 people on the roster. A trained steers person is provided for each team on race day.
Team members need to meet age and waiver requirements before getting into a boat. A youth division is available for ages 14 to 17, and a senior division is available for participants age 65 and older. Cancer survivor team rules require a set number of cancer survivors in each boat.
What The Drummer And Steers Person Do
The drummer sits at the front of the boat and helps set the pace by following the lead paddlers, also known as the stroke. In practical terms, the drummer is part rhythm section, part motivator, and part human metronome with a very good seat.
The steers person is positioned at the back of the boat and guides the crew with a long oar. Safety decisions on the water are handled by the steers person, who may consult with the drummer or team captain but has the final call during the race.
Acworth Dragon Boat Festival is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and support the local community. It is a popular event for participants and spectators and is a great way to experience Lake Allatoona and the surrounding area.
Date:
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time:
9 am to 3 pm
Registration:
Register Online
Address:
Dallas Landing Park
5120 Allatoona Drive
Acworth, GA 30101
For more information, please contact the Acworth Cobb Dragon Boat Festival Inc. at acworthcobbdbfestival@gmail.com or (404) 435-2178.
The event is sponsored by Acworth-Cobb Dragon Boat Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to benefit:
- Loving Arms Cancer Outreach is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps cancer patients and their families.
- Camp Sunshine is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that enriches the lives of Georgia’s children with cancer and their families through recreational, educational, and support programs.
I wanna play, anyone need a rower. I’m strong and funny.
I will love to participate in one of the race please let me know when, and how or what I have to do .
The festival is schedule for Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Dallas Landing Park in Acworth, Ga.
Sponsored by the Acworth-Cobb Dragon Boat Festival, Inc. a 501(c)3 organization. The festival is a fund raising event to support cancer outreach programs in the 7 County area. It is a fun filled day on the water for family, friends, and coworkers. You can register as a team or as an individual , an assigned to a team). Come out and join us acworthdragonboatfest.com
Are there any teams that need rowers?