Linda Donner, of the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Association, said very few Dragon Boat events are being held this year in the area.

“We are one of the few events being held in the Midwest, a lot of groups haven’t come back yet to be able to do it and we have seven out-of-town teams, which is great for an event of our size,” she said.

Donner said they expect teams from places like Houston, Wisconsin, and the Chicago area.

Donner said they currently have at least 450 paddlers registered to compete on Saturday. There are four divisions to compete in. The Elite Division, which is composed of the most serious competitors from around the country, the Community Division, Breast Cancer and Cancer Survivors Division, and the High School and Youth Division.

Before the boats hit the water, The Dragon Boat Association has a welcome party planned for tonight. There will be a dinner for the teams, activities for children, and the Awakening of the Dragon Ceremony.

The headliner of the evening will be local band Lone Tree Revival.

“We are pretty excited that Friday night, we’re going to be featuring Lone Tree Revival,” Donner said.

Tickets for Lone Tree Revival will be $5 and can be purchased at Hy-Vee

Saturday’s events will start bright and early with a pancake breakfast by the Noon Lions Club. The breakfast will be held from 7 until 10 a.m. and is open to the public. Breakfast will be $6 for adults and $5 for children 10 years and under.

Races will begin at 8 a.m. and continue through the day. This year there is no charge to come out and watch the races. A Breast Cancer Survivor Ceremony will be held toward the end of the day and the day will finish with the Awards Ceremony.