MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air War College students are teaming up to compete in the seventh annual Montgomery Dragon Boat Race and Festival at Montgomery’s Riverfront Park, Aug. 27, 2016.
The event includes teams racing boats decorated to resemble dragons, along with live entertainment in the amphitheater and local food vendors. The annual race and festival benefits two local non-profit organizations, Bridge Builders Alabama and Rebuilding Together Central Alabama.
The Dragon Boat Festival is the largest outdoor event in downtown Montgomery. It’s the last weekend of summer and it’s a great way for people to get together and have a good time, said Andrew Szymanski, Dragon Boat Festival executive director.
Initially, the festival was meant to be a one-time fundraiser, but positive interest from the community prompted the beginning of an annual tradition. This year, 1,400 paddlers are scheduled to compete and 30 of them are AWC’s very own.
The team War Machines consists of students ranging from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as civilians, spouses and international students.
AWC and Air Command Staff College have historically participated in the race and this year will be no different. AWC student and team captain Lt. Col. Jason Hokaj noted that their class even made sure to budget for the donation so they could compete this year.
“[The events promote] camaraderie and building relationships amongst our classmates. It’s also a great way for us as students ... to get involved and give back to the Montgomery community,” said Hokaj.
Szymanski said that Maxwell is a huge part of the community and they love that the people participating from Air University are just arriving to Montgomery and he can help welcome them with such an event.
The Dragon Boat Race and Festival begins at 8 a.m. at the Riverfront Park and the races go on from about 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about the event, visit http://www.montgomerydragonboat.org/race-day.html
If interested in helping out during the event, contact Andrew Szymanski, Dragon Boat Festival executive director at 334- 625-9411.