Story By Katie Hightower
On Aug. 9, over a thousand Jackson County community members were united in a similar cause to feed local children and support the local rural hospital. The second annual Scottsboro Dragon Boat Races raised over $85,000 for Nourish One Child and Highlands Medical Center’s Foundation.
Mary K Carlton, President of Nourish One Child said that she knew a fundraiser was needed to continue the organization’s charity work which benefited Scottsboro City Schools’ students who faced food insecurity. The Dragon Boat Races allowed for the organization to continue to provide around 450 bags of food to students each week.
“Thank you to all the volunteers and just everyone that’s played a part in this,” said Carlton. “Having missed the event last year, it was like getting ready for a ball this year. I didn’t sleep much the night before and it was everything I envisioned with all of the volunteers, the staff from Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing and the teams working together. It was so much fun to watch and so many people came up to thank us for having something for the community to participate in. It was a real community-building event.”
Thirty-three teams competitively paddled in the races for first place’s bragging rights. Each team had a unique name and theme. Members showed their team spirit through costumes, teeshirts and accessories. Gonzo Tactical Drunken Vikings team members arrived decked in Viking gear and face paint. First United Methodist’s Holy Rowers were conspicuous with their halos on their heads. Team Drummers sported ornate costumes with Jackson County Health Care Authority’s Born in the USA drummer dressed as the Statue of Liberty and Redstone Federal Credit Union’s Redstone Rowbot’s drummer dressed as a robot.
Jackson County Health Care Authority’s Born in the USA held on to the first-place title for the second year in a row.
Team member, Dr. Jerry Pierce said, “The dragon boat race was great fun and we’re happy to participate in something that would raise money for such good causes.”
Only .85 seconds separated first place’s Born in the USA from second place. The Drunken Vikings came in second with plans to take first place next year. Lambert Contracting Pipeline Paddlers came in third place, the City of Skyline’s Sea Raiders of Skyline came in fourth and Northeast Alabama Community College’s Mane Wake I came in fifth.
Hundreds of community members who weren’t competing in the races came to show support and see the spectacle. Groups and individuals set up canopies, lounged in lawn chairs and sat on blankets to watch the ornate dragon boats and teams. Dr. Pierce’s mom, Faye Pierce, attended the race to cheer for her son.
“This is my first year to the race and I enjoyed it even though it was hot,” she said.
Teams already began to plan for next year’s competition. Most of the teams competed at the previous year’s race and came back because they liked the experience.
“Every year, it never fails to disappoint because it’s so much fun and it’s for a good cause,” said Dr. Rogelio Velez. “As long as my body can keep going, I will keep doing it every year.”
