Hundreds of international athletes will make waves at Lake Las Vegas next month. Athletes from as far as Dubai will compete in a number of dragon boat races as part of the Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival. The event, which is hosted by the Dragonboat Racing Association Group of Nevada, is scheduled for May 20 and May 21. Admission for spectators is free.

This is the second year the nonprofit organization has hosted the event. The Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival is one of three dragon boat races held in Nevada. According to organizers, the number of race teams has doubled this year in comparison to its inaugural year. More than 30 teams, representing such states as Washington, Oregon and California and such international destinations as Canada and Dubai, will paddle in this year’s competitive, community and corporate dragon boat races.

“We are thrilled to welcome the hundreds of international and domestic athletes and their families to Henderson,” said Barbra Coffee, Director of the City of Henderson Economic Development & Tourism Department. “Hosting the Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival in Henderson is a great opportunity to showcase the destination to a new audience. It is also sure to give a boost to our local economy.”

The Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival includes cultural music and dance performances, including dragon and lion dances, children’s activities, FlyBoard demonstration and a silent auction. It is also an event that supports important causes – children’s cancer and breast cancer awareness – and will incorporate a breast cancer ceremony as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To date, the Dragonboat Racing Association Group of Nevada and its teams have raised over $44,000 for a number of local breast cancer patient services.

“The dragon boat races bring the community together,” said Sherri Weaver, president of the Dragonboat Racing Association Group of Nevada. “A number of local causes will benefit from the event. The compassion and generosity of the competitors will forever change the lives of those who are in need of it.”

For more information about the Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival, visit dragonboatnv.com or call 702-596-5800.

More information about Henderson is available at VisitHenderson.com or call 702-267-2171. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.