Every fall UWO, as well as other team sponsors, put on the annual Dragonboat Festival in Oshkosh Wisconsin. The history of the dragonboats date back approximately 2,400 years ago to Chinese culture. On the contrary, the UWO’s Dragonboat Festival was only founded 7 years ago, in 2006. The purpose behind the festival was to have a community event that would benefit the community as well as the UWO campus. But something interesting happens with the proceeds behind this event. The proceeds are split between a UWO scholarship as well as donations to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, all working towards a better community.
Taking part in such an event is not only benefiting our community, but it is also building team skills and gives us a sense of belonging at such a wonderful event. The “village” for the Dragonboat Festival is held at the Leach Amphitheater which is molded by many blue tents, each home to a dragonboat team. I felt as if we were a community inside of a community, our own little town inside of the city of Oshkosh. Smiles were abroad whether you knew others or not. Teams felt encouraged to cheer others on, socialize, and turn an ordinary Saturday into something special. Living in Oshkosh for the latter half of my life, I never knew such an event existed! When present at this festival, I saw a side of Oshkosh, previously unknown, that made me appreciate my community. I saw many participants in a central area cheering each other on, smiling, laughing, and enjoying each others company.
Whether it was volleyball, bean bag toss, or the dragonboat races itself, there was a feeling of openness and unity, even with competition present. Those who I didn’t even know invited parts of my team to play volleyball for a friendly game. Other teams cheered us on as we went out to our boats and inflicted a sense of pride among us in which we passed on to others. Strangers in my community suddenly became a friendly face, changing my outlook on Oshkosh as a community. Instead of just a city full of nice people, we can rally together and make a huge impact on others.
The Dragonboat Festival is something I was proud to be a part of. It brings our community together while benefiting others, what could be better? For now, we will “hold the boat” as we wait for next years festival where we will put our “paddles up” and, once again, take part in such an amazing event.
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.(Facts on the Dragonboat Festival were taken from www.uwosh.edu/fallfest/dragonboat-festival)
-- Jordan Paulson, Communities 2 Student
