Hundreds gathered on the shores of Lake Champlain for the weekend for the 19th annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, an event filled with energy, emotion, and purpose.What began as a local race has evolved into a celebration of community and cancer survivorship. This year’s festival brought together dozens of teams, including breast cancer survivors, families, local businesses, and supporters. But for paddlers like Linda Finkelstein, the meaning runs far deeper.“I had breast cancer in 2008,” said Finkelstein. “When I moved to Vermont in 2014, I didn’t know anyone. I needed a community, and I found it in Dragonheart Vermont.” Finkelstein officially joined the survivor team in 2016 and says paddling has brought her strength, sisterhood, and joy.“It’s fun, it’s empowering, and it’s a chance to be surrounded by people who understand what you’ve been through,” she said.Organizers say the goal this year is to raise $145,000 for local cancer support services. With over $100,000 already raised, they’re well on their way. Proceeds benefit programs like Sail Beyond Cancer, which offers healing and empowerment experiences on the water for those impacted by cancer.“The Dragon Boat Festival is the definition of community,” said event organizer Brett Haug. “People come out to paddle, but they do it for each other. For their neighbors. For survivors.”One of the most emotional moments of the day was the flower ceremony. In a moving display, survivors and those still fighting cancer raised flowers above the water, then released them into the lake in honor of lives lost and battles still being fought.“It’s a time to reflect, to honor those we’ve lost, and to be grateful for the chance to be here, right now,” Finkelstein added.For more information about the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival or to donate, visit their website.
Hundreds gathered on the shores of Lake Champlain for the weekend for the 19th annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, an event filled with energy, emotion, and purpose.
What began as a local race has evolved into a celebration of community and cancer survivorship.
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This year’s festival brought together dozens of teams, including breast cancer survivors, families, local businesses, and supporters.
But for paddlers like Linda Finkelstein, the meaning runs far deeper.
“I had breast cancer in 2008,” said Finkelstein. “When I moved to Vermont in 2014, I didn’t know anyone. I needed a community, and I found it in Dragonheart Vermont.”
Finkelstein officially joined the survivor team in 2016 and says paddling has brought her strength, sisterhood, and joy.
“It’s fun, it’s empowering, and it’s a chance to be surrounded by people who understand what you’ve been through,” she said.
Organizers say the goal this year is to raise $145,000 for local cancer support services.
With over $100,000 already raised, they’re well on their way.
Proceeds benefit programs like Sail Beyond Cancer, which offers healing and empowerment experiences on the water for those impacted by cancer.
“The Dragon Boat Festival is the definition of community,” said event organizer Brett Haug. “People come out to paddle, but they do it for each other. For their neighbors. For survivors.”
One of the most emotional moments of the day was the flower ceremony.
In a moving display, survivors and those still fighting cancer raised flowers above the water, then released them into the lake in honor of lives lost and battles still being fought.
“It’s a time to reflect, to honor those we’ve lost, and to be grateful for the chance to be here, right now,” Finkelstein added.
For more information about the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival or to donate, visit their website.
