 For 12 years, the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival has brought together community members and businesses for one common goal. Josh Peterson takes us to the Dragons Den, where a long-time tradition has found a partnership with the Dragon Boat Festival. The boats are in the water, and the teams have already been practicing since Monday evening, but the real festivities didn't officially kick off until today. Recently, the Samford Fry Bread Taco meal has been the kickoff of the Dragon Boat Festival's Dragon's Den, bringing community members together to support a community need. They've had some record numbers here in the last couple years, and so their event keeps growing and makes our event better too, and we know where all the money is going. The Fry Bread Taco meal has only been a part of the festival for the past five years. However, the meal has a 21-year history. This year, the money raised through the meal goes to the Samford Heart Center. The partnership with Dragon Boat not only raises funds, but awareness as well. Number one, it helps us bring in some dollars for the project, but then the awareness too of just what's going on and letting people know that we have all these great services. Over the years, community has always been at the heart of the festival, which is why organizers say they have seen continued growth each year. It's a big community event, not just for community members to come and have fun, but raise a lot of funds for some great organizations that, you know, work for the common good day in and day out. Dragon Boat continues to draw new interest. Families that have never even been to the festival before found themselves today in the Dragons Den enjoying the festivities. My kids have all been married, and our grandchildren, that we were able to get together like this and do something, and it's been wonderful. It'll be wonderful memories all of our life. With race day on Saturday, the fun and excitement is only expected to build. In Bemidji, Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. Fifty-four teams will be racing this year. The parade of teams will be held Friday night beginning at six, followed by the sprint races. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.