Dragon Boat Races in Tavares

We finally decided to go check out the annual Dragon Boat Festival they have every year in Tavares. Since we had never been before we did not know what to expect. Apparently the day before is the big opening ceremony where they have performers from Disney come and do drums and Chinese acrobats and then later fireworks. We missed the live drum performance and martial arts display and mostly watched the race. It was still a lot of fun. A lot to take in. The competitors were very serious and it was really professional. There was an egg roll eating competition earlier that day as well. Next year we will have to go earlier and get the schedule of events.
Apparently the dragon boat racing got started in China when a man, Qu Yuan, threw him self in the river and died. Other people heard about it and raced out to the spot where his body was and splashed their paddles till they could recover his body so the fish wouldn't eat it. and that is that. Now dragon boat racing is a growing sport. And after having experienced it I can see why. It was a lot of fun just to go sit by the lake and watch the boats paddle out and back.

Dinner train! Goes from Tavares to Eustis. I thought it also went to Mt. Dora but I could be wrong.

 As we walked up to Wooten park the dinner train pulled in and scared Reeses half to death. He dragged me all the way across the street to avoid it.

We were given the mark of the dragon.

The entrance fee was very reasonably only $3.00 and you could come and go as you pleased as long as you had a dragon stamped on your hand. We wondered threw concession area and threw the area where the drum demonstration was earlier. And then we wondered threw the competitors tents.

Dragon head we found while wondering threw the competitors tents. The t-shirt was $15 not the dragon head.

I think this was on one of the boats at one time or another.

Sitting under the womping tree! You know from Hairy Potter.

We were kind of late in arriving. We were trying to decide if it was going to rain or not. So we didn't get the choice spot, right on the finish line. But I think we got the next best spot right where the teams were getting ready and got in the boats to head out. We sat near a weeping willow tree. And as the wind blew the branches of the tree flew all around hitting anyone with in reach. It reminded me of the womping tree from Harry Potter.

We got to see the competitors march out to get into the boats.

 The boats are all the same they just switch teams. I guess they have different divisions that race against each other.

And then we watched them march back in after the races. This went on over and over for each race category.

 The weather was windy and cloudy so of course the water was choppy and ruff. We saw a lot of teams bailing water from their boats.

You can really see how ruff the water was.

While we were sitting there a sea plane taxied up and parked. He no doubt was coming to eat at one of the fabulous restaurants or taverns in Tavares.

Look a plane!

Sea plane!

We watched as the boats came and went to line up for the race. Some of them were dressed up. The lady on the front of this boat was dressed like a bumble bee.

Bumble bee lady

On the front of the boat sat a person who beat a drum. And the rowers kept up with her drum beat. On the back stood the guy that steered the boat. We thought with the ruff waves that surely one of them would end up in the water but they seemed to hold on pretty good.

Team lined up on the dock was waiting for a boat to start the next race in. While the boat in the for ground is fighting the current caused by the strong winds.

There is a lot of wind in this video but if you watch the whole thing you can hear the drum on board one of the boats.

All the animals seemed to like watching the boat races as much as we did.

Heron

Not sure what this bird is called it usually hangs out with black birds.

Eyes on the finish line. He even looks excited.

I think he was worried about this boat it was struggling against the wind to dock.

Good shot of one of the teams getting ready behind us.

This kid made a hat from the womping tree branches.

Sea plane!

The sea plane was turned around and ready to head out again. As it was getting even colder and windier we decided not to stay for the end and went ahead and left.

Sea plane!

 On the way to the car we decided we may as well grab a bite to eat. We came across another sea plane in the parking lot at Al's Steak and Sea food.

Reese's love'd this bench in front of Al's dockside. Or is it in back?

This is actually the front. You walk up to the back to order.

 Al's dockside is outside seating and a very comfortable atmospher. They serve sandwiches and sides.

 The brisket sandwich.

Smoked turkey with cold slaw. The cold slaw was actually very good.

 And I had pulled pork with curly fries.

 We all really enjoyed eating at Al's Barbeque. The food was good and the people working there were very nice and helpful. And the prices were very reasonable for what you got. Over all we had a great time and plan to do it again next year.