Dragon boat races and Sunday brunch at Brittlebank Park (Update: Raises $108K for cancer programs)

Image by Flickr user vpickering

Update May 7: This year's Charleston Dragon Boat Festival had an amazing turnout and raised a record-breaking $108,000 that will go to local cancer wellness programs.

ABC News 4 has the update with photos from Saturday's fifth annual event.

First reporting: This Saturday, May 5th marks the 5th Annual Charleston Dragon Boat Festival. Proceeds raised by festival paddlers support the health and wellness programs of Dragon Boat Charleston.

Dragon Boat Charleston, promotes physical and mental wellness among cancer survivors and their community through dragon boating. Dragon Boating, a sport that originated in China over 2000 years ago, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Twenty paddlers sit two abreast in colorful 48-foot vessels while paddling to the beat of a drummer, the heartbeat of the dragon.

Spectators are invited to watch the race from Brittlebank Park.

Then, on Sunday, set up shop at Brittlebank Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of eating, drinking, dancing and playing on the bank of the Ashley River.

Brunch on the Bank features live music, food trucks, local beer, a Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, beer pong and corn hole. Bring chairs, blankets, frisbees and dogs for this family-friendly event.

Admission to Brunch on the Bank is $5 and benefits the Cancer Outreach programs of Awaken the Dragon, a documentary featuring local cancer survivors, experiencing the healing power of ancient Chinese Dragon Boating.