Though the weather in Calgary has been a bit on the frosty side lately, the skies cleared for the 2015 Dragon Boat Festival at the beautiful North Glenmore Park reservoir. Bloomex was delighted to be one of this year's community sponsors for this always-fun event.
Based on a 2000-year-old Chinese legend, Dragon Boat Racing is still very active all across Canada, with a large group of energetic participants in Calgary. One of Calgary’s premier sport festivals, the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival draws more than 1850 competitors, over 4000 spectators and an
abundance of excitement and cultural experiences. It is also recognized by Dragon Boat Canada as a qualifying event for the 2016 National Club Crew Qualifiers. The Festival is geared towards
creating an unforgettable experience, while the dragon boat competition
illustrates camaraderie, teamwork and inspiration. 
Bloomex was proud to provide beautiful floral centrepieces to decorate the VIP tent at the Festival. Bloomex also provided the large presentation bouquet to be used in the awards ceremony, as well as two gourmet gift baskets.
Bloomex was proud to provide beautiful floral centrepieces to decorate the VIP tent at the Festival. Bloomex also provided the large presentation bouquet to be used in the awards ceremony, as well as two gourmet gift baskets.
This year the festival hosted 54 teams of which 12 teams were from out of town, so the event was a big success. (Click for final race results.)
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| Bloomex Blue Ribbon Basket |
One of the highlights of the weekend was definitely the launch ceremony for the breast cancer "Sistership." The Sistership Dragon Boat Association was started in 1998 by a group of women from Calgary. Each
one had experienced breast cancer and they set about forming the first
dragon boat racing team in Alberta comprised of persons living with the
disease. Their commitment to learn to paddle a dragon boat became a
symbol of this group’s quest to rebuild the health and confidence eroded
by a cancer diagnosis. Bloomex was very pleased to donate the pink carnations used in the ceremony.
Their very moving launch ceremony takes place at the docks before their race, featuring the paddlers, family and supporters to symbolize the strength and determination of women living with breast cancer. Currently,
Sistership consists of two crews comprised of 60 women from Calgary and
the surrounding area. Photos courtesy of Sistership organizer Joanne Lozynsky (thank you, Joanne!)
Bloomex was delighted to be part of this fun community day in beautiful Calgary! Check out the article in the Calgary Sun to read more about this year's Calgary Dragon Boat Festival and see how YOU can join a Dragon Boat team and enjoy this fun sport!
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