We’re excited to have you join us at the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival – July 30 – August 2, 2025! From the exceptional viewing area, energizing races, extraordinary team villages, excellent kids activities and evening entertainment, we have something exciting for the whole family. The festival is located along the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji (on Bemidji Avenue/Hwy 197 – to the left of the Paul & Babe statues: 300 Bemidji Ave. N.)

Schedule of the Event:

July 29, 2025

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Practice Sessions
Everyone is welcome to watch!

July 30, 2025

11:00 am - 8:00 pm: Sanford Health Taco Fest for the United Way
$10 taco meal includes fry bread or tortilla taco with all the trimmings, beverage & dessert. Presented by Lueken's Village Foods.

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Music

11:00 am - 9:00 pm: Dragon's Den Open
50/50 Raffle Ticket Sales.

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Practice Sessions
Everyone is welcome to watch!

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Merchandise Tent Open

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Dragon's Den Entertainment
Featuring: Rhonda & Orlando on the Sanford Center stage.

July 31, 2025

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Food Court Open

5:00 pm - 11:00 pm: Dragon's Den Open
Sponsor Appreciation Night

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Merchandise Tent Open

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Practice Sessions
Everyone is welcome to watch!

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Annual Cornhole Tournament
$40 Team Entry. 100% of the entry fee goes to the American Cancer Society - Presented by Bank Forward & Insure Forward.

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Dragon’s Den Entertainment
Featuring: Mix 103.7 Live on the Sanford Center stage.

August 1, 2025

12:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Food Court Open

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Merchandise Tent Open

12:00 pm - 12:00 am: Dragon's Den Open

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Practice Sessions
Everyone is welcome to watch!

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Parade of Teams & Opening Ceremony

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Mandatory SPRINT CUP Team Managers Meeting

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Annual Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup Races

8:30 pm - 10:30 pm: Dragon’s Den Entertainment
Dueling Pianos - Presented by Deerwood Bank

6:00 pm - 12:00 am: St. Michel Furniture Lakeside Lounge
Front row lakeside seating in the Dragon’s Den Patio.

August 2, 2025

8:00 am - 9:00 am: Annual 5K Run/Walk
9-9:30AM: 1/2K Kids Fun Run

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Kids Activity Tent
Sponsored by Compass Rose

8:00 am - 10:00 am: Race Day Breakfast
Sponsored by YPN & Red Stu.

8:00 am - 10:00 am: Mimosa & Bloody Mary Bar
Sponsored by YPN

8:00 am - 8:30 am: Mandatory ALL TEAM Managers Meeting

9:00 am - 6:00 pm: Merchandise Tent Open

9:30 am - 12:30 pm: ROUND 1 HEATS: Dragon Boat Races
*All Race Times are tentative. Official race start times will be determined and posted after team registration deadline in mid-July. Race Final start/end times are estimates and subject to race day circumstances. Please be aware they may start/end earlier or later than listed here.

8:00 am - 12:00 am: Dragon's Den Open

10:00 am - 9:00 pm: Food Court Open

1:30 pm - 4:15 pm: ROUND 2 HEATS: Dragon Boat Races

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: FINALS: Dragon Boat Races

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Awards & Closing Ceremony
Following the completion of the finals.

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm: Dragon's Den Entertainment
Featuring: Paint the Town - Sponsored by Bernicks

8:00 am - 12:00 am: St. Michel Furniture Lakeside Lounge
Front row lakeside seating in the Dragon’s Den Patio.

Date: July 29-August 2, 2025

Location: 300 Bemidji Avenue North, Bemidji, MN

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