The annual River Cities Dragon Boat Festival will be this Friday and Saturday at Lake Willastein in Maumelle.

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The boat races are on Saturday, while festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday with music starting at 7 p.m.

Admission is free and proceeds from the team entry fees will benefit the Children’s Protection Center. 

Food trucks and yard games will be available on Friday and Saturday, with a fireworks show to close out the festival at 9:10 p.m. on Friday night. Races will start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

For more information, click here for the festival’s website.

Schedule of events

Friday

• Noon: Athlete’s Village team set up begins

• 4:45 p.m.: Athlete’s Village closes to all vehicles

• 5 p.m.: Team check-in begins, Team practices on the water, Food Trucks open, Yard Games open

• 6 p.m.: Children’s Area Opens

• 7 p.m.: Music, fun from the stage

• 8:30 p.m.: Practices finish

• 9:10 p.m.: Fireworks Show

Saturday

• 7:30 a.m.: Athlete’s Village opens, allpaddlers arrive, sign waivers,receive wrist bands

• 9 a.m. – Opening Ceremony & Drummer’s Parade

• 9:15 a.m. – Marshalling & Races Begin

• 11:30 a.m. – Dragon Cup Race

• 1 p.m. – Championship Round

• 2:45 p.m.: Awards Ceremony