Sponsorship Info:

Mission/purpose:

The St. Catharines Dragon Boat Festival provides a fun-filled day of recreation and friendly competition for both established, experienced teams and occasional or first-time paddlers. Funds raised through registrations are directed towards Children's Education at the St. Catharines Museum.

Festival Overview:

The Festival, now in its 13th year, is a one-day Festival held on Henley Island. Teams (22 crew members, of which 8 must be female) race on a 500-meter course in three heats during the day. The Festival provides all equipment, including the dragon boats, paddles, safety equipment, etc. Participating teams come from many diverse areas of the community, including professional teams eager to experience the Historic Henley course, employee groups sponsored by their companies (team-building), community groups (churches, families, organizations/clubs, etc.), Breast Cancer Survivor teams, and more. Practices are provided the week prior to Race Day and each team has the opportunity to receive two training/practice sessions. Our Festival recognizes the value of dragon boating as beneficial exercise and fellowship for breast cancer survivors and provides Challenge Races and the traditional Carnation Ceremony.

This Festival benefits the St. Catharines Museum (registration, vendors, etc.), Wellspring Niagara Cancer Support Centre (team pledges), Out of the Cold (food & beverage service), a local Scout troop (parking by donation). We average over 100 volunteers assisting with organization, practice week, and Race Day.

The 2010 Festival attracted 40 teams, 20 vendors, and approx. 800 spectators.

Community Benefit:

The St. Catharines Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the community's heritage, and to making that history available to the public. The Festival is dedicated to children learning local history and to facilitate and enhance that experience.

Support of the Festival also helps to support our charitable partners and associates - Wellspring Niagara, Out of the Cold, and the Boy Scouts.

In addition, the Festival promotes well-being and fellowship through teambuilding, and invites the community to participate, whether as a member of a team or as a spectator watching and cheering for their teams.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Contact us at dbchair@stcatharinesdragonboat.org to receive a Sponsorship Package or for more details.

Dragon Slayer and Racing Dragon Sponsorships include complimentary team entries – a great choice if you have a team (or two) entering the Races. A Challenge Race Sponsorship allows you the flexibility to show your support for a favourite cause or to help your chosen team win ‘bragging rights’ through an issued challenge. Show your company’s support for all the work volunteers do through our new Volunteer Sponsor opportunity. And Friends of the Festival are always welcomed through the Dragon Fighter sponsorship!

(1) Dragon Slayer Sponsor ($2,500): Your Company name and/or logo as Dragon Slayer Sponsor on all festival media releases, TV, radio, printed and electronic advertisements, event t-shirts, Museum newsletter, and on-site corporate “Thank you” banner. PLUS:

• 10 public announcements during festival
• 2 complimentary team entries with option to enter additional teams at the normal entry fee
• 2 Festival-approved Sponsor-supplied signs for posting in high traffic areas
• Reserved area for Sponsor-supplied tent (10ftx10ft) to host teams and guests
• Representation as Sponsor at the awards ceremony
• Booth space provided in Vendor Village
• VIP parking

(2) Racing Dragon Sponsor ($1,250): Your Company name and/or logo as a Racing Dragon Sponsor on all festival media releases, TV, radio, printed and electronic advertisements, event t-shirts, Museum newsletter, and on-site corporate “Thank you” banner. PLUS:

• 5 public announcements during festival
• 1 complimentary team entries with option to enter additional teams at the normal entry fee
• 10 public announcements during festival
• 2 complimentary team entries with option to enter additional teams at the normal entry fee
• 2 Festival-approved Sponsor-supplied signs for posting in high traffic areas
• Reserved area for Sponsor-supplied tent (10ftx10ft) to host teams and guests
• Representation as Sponsor at the awards ceremony
• Booth space provided in Vendor Village
• VIP parking

(3) Dragon Fighter ($500): Your Company name and/or logo as Dragon Fighter, a “Friend of the Festival” Sponsor, on all festival media releases, TV, radio, printed and electronic advertisements, event t-shirts, and Museum newsletter.

(4) Challenge Race Sponsor (varies): Sponsor arranges for two or more teams to race in a fourth race (3 regular races + 1 challenge race). A trophy, medal, or other prize may be provided and awarded at the discretion of the Sponsor. Sponsor’s name will be announced with the Challenge Race announcement by the M.C. Examples of potential Challenge Races: Transplant Recipient Challenge Race; Finance Challenge Race (Banks); School Challenge Race; Challenge Races between different departments within the same company, etc. Note: a Breast Cancer Survivor Challenge Race is scheduled, along with the traditional Carnation Ceremony. If you are interested in sponsoring this particular Challenge Race, please contact us for details.

(5) Volunteer Sponsor: Volunteers are the life-blood of our Festival, as well as vital to the Museum and Festival partners, Wellspring and Out of the Cold. For details on becoming a Volunteer Sponsor, please contact us.

Volunteer Information

Click here to download the Volunteer Application.

Festival Volunteers:

While the Festival is a one-day event, volunteers are also needed to assist with Practices. The following are areas where volunteers are needed:

• Registration: volunteers assist with practices (Mon. through Fri., 5:00-9:00pm, the week prior to Race Day), and during the morning on Race Day (7:00am-12:00noon). Registration volunteers ensure that team waivers have been signed and collected, that volunteer waivers are signed and collected, give out volunteer shirts.
• Docks: volunteers needed to help with the loading and unloading of the boat crews at the docks.
• Operations: this includes helping with lay-out (evenings of the week prior to Race Day), set-up (Friday evening & Race Day morning), take-down (Race Day evening), and site maintenance (Race Day)
• Spare Paddlers: these experienced paddlers must be willing to assist any crews that need an extra crew person, both during Practices and on Race Day. Training is available during practices.
• Steerspersons: VIPs (Very Important Paddlers) who help crews without their own trained steerspersons. Training is available during practices. Timing/Photographers/Cat Crew/Go-fers/etc.:

Committee Volunteers:

The Dragon Boat Festival Steering Committee meets once a month at the St. Catharines Museum (weeknights). We are looking for members who have some experience with dragon boating (from either the organization or participation sides) or fundraising/event planning, can work as a team-player, and are willing to accept responsibilities and follow through on duties and act on suggestions. Committee areas include: operations (set-up, take-down, site maintenance, etc.); promotion & sponsorships; registration; volunteer coordination; vendor coordination; and finance.

Volunteer Registration:

Send your name, email address, phone number, whether you’ve been a Festival Volunteer before, and what hours and duties you would like to be considered for to Volunteer Coordinator(info@stcatharinesdragonboat.org). Also let us know if you are volunteering to fulfill any community volunteer requirements. Before you actually volunteer, you will be required to sign a waiver.

Thank You to Our Volunteers!

Downloads:

Island Map (pdf)
Waiver (pdf)
Volunteer Duties & Schedules (pdf)

Team Information

Basic Info for Teams:

All teams registering for the St. Catharines Dragon Boat festival will be comprised of 20 paddlers, 1 steersperson and 1 drummer. Early bird team registration and a fee of $650 must be received by May 1st, 2012. Regular team registration and a fee of $750 must be submitted no later than July 1st, 2012. Practice week is July 23rdh - July 27th, 2012 and race day is July 28th, 2012. If you are registering a team please fill out the form under User Registration below. If you have already registered a team, you can login to your account under User Login.

Practice Information

Practices will be held Monday to Friday, July 23rd - July 27thd, 2012, every evening between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Each team may book up to 2 half-hour practices. Inexperienced teams must attend at least 1 practice before participating in the Races. Contact Linda at info@stcatharinesdragonboat.org to book a practice and for more information.

Payment Information

Payment may be made by cheque to the St. Catharines Dragon Boat Festival and mailed to PO Box 3012, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2.

Payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) may be made by phone to 905-984-8880 (St. Catharines Museum). Please specify that you are making a Team Registration payment.

Waivers

All team members must fill out a waiver and provide it to the Festival organizers/volunteers before any practice or race. Dowload the waiver here or contact info@stcatharinesdragonboat.org to have the waiver emailed to you.

In addition, all teams must fill out a Team Roster. Click here to download the Team Roster and Profile sheets.

Vendor Information

Basic Info for Vendors:

There is a non-refundable charge of $70 per vendor spot for new vendors. Fee for returning vendors will be $55. Upon confirmation/payment, we will reserve a 10x10 spot for you in the “Bill Strachan Vendor Village” area. It is the responsibility of the vendor to supply tables, chairs, and tent (or other weather protection) as required. Approximately 2 weeks prior to the Festival, you will receive information regarding parking (vendor parking is located close to Vendor Village), set-up and take-down times (vehicles will not be allowed into Vendor Village except during these times), and your assigned space.

Food & Beverage:

We currently have a charitable organization (Out of the Cold) assisting with our Food and Beverage service. As we wish to support our local charities, we will not be accepting any food & beverage vendors for 2012 which may conflict with their offerings. Exceptions may be made for snack-type vendors. Please contact Lesley to determine if your product is acceptable. All food vendors must also be in compliance with the local Health Department guidelines and are responsible for contacting them. .

Exclusivity:

We offer exclusivity to vendors with basic products. For example, there would be only one ice cream, popcorn, etc. vendor. There would also be only one vendor for such products as Tupperware or Avon. Exclusivity would NOT be offered for clothing, jewelry, candles, and other such products which come in many different styles and ‘flavors.’ Exclusivity will be offered on a first apply/pay basis, with first right of refusal given to vendors who have been with us in the past.

Charitable Vendors:

A charity or non-profit wishing to set up a booth for informational purposes only should contact Lesley directly to discuss, as special discounts may be available.

Electricity:

Electrical hook-up is NOT available for vendors on the Island. If you wish to run a generator, you must discuss with the Vendor Coordinator first to ensure placement where the noise will not be a problem.

Contact Us:

If you have any special requirements or questions, please contact Lesley.

Vendor Registration & Payment

Click here to download the Vendor Application.

Download vendor application, fill out, and mail or bring to:
The St. Catharines Museum
PO Box 3012
1932 Welland Canals Parkway
St. Catharines, ON
L2R 7C2

Payment:
By cheque: make payable to “St. Catharines Dragon Boat Festival.”
Mail or bring to the St. Catharines Museum
PO Box 3012
1932 Welland Canals Parkway
St. Catharines, ON
L2R 7C2

Note: please discuss with Lesley prior to sending payment to ensure your eligibility.

By credit card: call 905-984-8880 (St. Catharines Museum). Make sure you explain that you are paying vendor fees for the Dragon Boat Festival. Or visit in person with your credit card. In cash: in person at the St. Catharines Museum at the Admissions Desk.

Downloads
Vendor Application

Map – Island
Map – Vendor Village

Confirmed Vendors