Pride of the Fox Riverfest this weekend

At first glance, the St. Charles North High School dragon boat team looks like an underdog.

It has never participated in a dragon boat race.

But don't count these paddlers out. Nearly half of the team is composed of high school girls who are members of North's drill team. Three traits needed for drill are stamina, upper body strength and the ability to work as a team.

These also happen to be three traits a dragon boat team must possess.

Nancy Franson hopes that helps the team compete.

"I think part of the success of the dragon boat is making sure that it flows smoothly, and (a team) being coordinated in their movements," said Franson, North's drill team coach. "Being dancers, we should be able to work together."

The team will compete in St. Charles' 17th Annual Dragon Boat Races, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The team will also run a food booth and sell ribbons, along with St. Charles East High School's drill team, throughout the weekend to raise money for the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center and the American Cancer Society. Last year, the teams raised $73,000 for the organizations through various fundraisers.

The races are a part of the 26th Annual Pride of the Fox RiverFest, which kicks into gear Friday and runs through Sunday. Other events at the festival include dog obstacle races, a performance by the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team and a 40-foot sand sculpture by a world-champion sand sculptor. Musical acts will perform throughout the weekend, and there are plenty of activities for kids.

Franson said the St. Charles North dragon boat team wants to have fun, but they are also in it to win.

"They're pretty competitive," said Franson, who will be on the team. "They like to win. It'd be nice to say these girls are physically able to compete."

Dragon boat racing is a 2,000-year-old sport that originated in China.

In St. Charles' version, each team has 20 members. Eighteen people row a 1,900-pound boat down a 328-yard course. A drummer sits at the front and tries to keep the rowers in rhythm. A flag-catcher leans forward out of the boat to reach a flag in the water that serves as the finish line.

Thirty teams entered the race.

Festival director Joy Meierhans said there is a simple reason the races come back every year.

"We are bringing them back because people love them," she said. "It's just a real teamwork atmosphere."

Meierhans has worked with RiverFest since 1990. She said festivals are similar to town squares of the 1800s and early 1900s.

"In the old days, people got out and would socialize in a very informal way," she said. "Festivals provide an opportunity for community members to come together."

Kevin Morency used to race in the dragon boats, and he now serves as the event's coordinator. He said many teams return to the festival from year to year because of the races.

"It's fun," he said. "It's actually a dedicated group."

Christina Small, 17, will be on the boat that will carry the St. Charles North drill team. She will be a senior in the fall.

She said the team comes up with new ways every year to raise money. This event allows them to get to know new team members before the school year even begins.

"It's one of the first times we'll do things and bond with the new team," she said. "It's one of the coolest ideas we've had. (And) it's all for a bigger cause."

Pride of the Fox Riverfest

The annual festival will be today through Sunday around downtown St. Charles. All events are free and open to the public. Locations include: Riverside Stage on First Avenue, south of Main Street, across from city hall; Gazebo Stage at Lincoln Park on West Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets; and Pottawatomie Park, Second and North avenues at the north end of the Riverwalk, which is on the east bank of the river, from Main Street north. For details, visit www.prideofthefox.com.

TODAY

1 to 10 p.m. Riverview Carnival, thrill rides at Route 31 at Cedar Street, kid rides Third Street at Cedar

FRIDAY

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Face painters will work at Lincoln Park in downtown. Activity is free, courtesy of Colonial Ice Cream and Cafes. Tickets will be distributed at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.; tickets are good for the session immediately after distribution and do not transfer.

11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Riverview Carnival, thrill rides at Route 31 at Cedar Street, kid rides Third Street at Cedar

12 p.m. Colonial ice cream eating contest with registration at 11:30 a.m., Gazebo Stage

12 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

1 p.m. Earthkeeper Show, Lincoln Park

1-5 p.m. Costumed characters meet and greet, Gazebo Stage

2 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

2 to 5:30 p.m. Neverly Brothers (1950s rockabilly meets 1960s British Invasion), Gazebo Stage

3 p.m. Jungle Safari Show, Lincoln Park

4 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

6 to 7 p.m. Flippin' Pennies (variety rock), Riverside Stage

6 to 10 p.m. Dancing Under The Stars Swing Night featuring The Flat Cats (toe-tapping vintage standards), Gazebo Stage. Free swing and fox trot lessons, dance contest, prizes and performance by State Street Dance Studio.

7:30-10:30 p.m. 7th Heaven (1980s rock, including Def Leppard, Bon Jovi), Riverside Stage

SATURDAY

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dragon boat racing, Pottawatomie Park

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Face painters will work at Lincoln Park downtown. Activity is free, courtesy of Colonial Ice Cream and Cafes. Tickets will be distributed at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.; tickets are good for the session immediately following distribution and do not transfer.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 26th annual Riverfest Craft Show, Pottawatomie Park

11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Riverview Carnival, thrill rides at Route 31 at Cedar Street, kid rides Third Street at Cedar

12 p.m., 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Canine Capers, Pottawatomie Park

12 p.m. to 3 p.m. DivoDiva (rock and pop covers), Gazebo Stage

12 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

1 p.m. Earthkeeper Show, Lincoln Park

1 to 3 p.m. Riverfest Idol Search Contest. Soloists 6 to 17 years old, Riverside Stage.

1 to 5 p.m. Costumed characters meet and greet, Gazebo Stage

2 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

3 p.m. Jungle Safari Show, Lincoln Park

3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Hot Foot for Ruin (pop rock/jazz), Gazebo Stage

3:30 to 7:15 p.m. Bagshot Row (1950s, 1960s power-pop "rock 'n row"), Riverside Stage

4 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

6 to 10 p.m. Dancing Under The Stars 1950s Rock 'N Roll Night featuring The Crown Vics (sound, look and vibe of 1958), Gazebo Stage. Free swing lesson, dance contest, prizes and performance by State Street Dance Studio.

7:45 to 10:30 p.m. Dot Dot Dot (high energy rock standards), Riverside Stage

SUNDAY

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dragon boat racing, Pottawatomie Park

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Face painters will work at Lincoln Park in downtown. Activity is free, courtesy of Colonial Ice Cream and Cafes. Tickets will be distributed at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.; tickets are good for the session immediately following distribution and do not transfer.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 26th annual Riverfest Craft Show, Pottawatomie Park

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Riverview Carnival, thrill rides at Route 31 at Cedar Street, kid rides Third Street at Cedar

12 p.m., 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Canine Capers, Pottawatomie Park

12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Second Time Around (1970s good-time rock), Gazebo Stage

12 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

1 p.m. Earthkeeper Show, Lincoln Park

1 to 3 p.m. Riverfest Idol Search Contest, soloists 18 years and over, Riverside Stage

1 to 5 p.m. Costumed characters meet and greet, Gazebo Stage

2 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

3 p.m. Jungle Safari Show, Lincoln Park

3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ju Ju Minstrels (female-fronted rock covers) Riverside Stage

4 p.m. Magical Mr. Ash, Lincoln Park

4 to 7 p.m. Jazz Central (mainstream jazz), Gazebo Stage

6 to 6:30 p.m. Riverfest Bachelor Charity Auction. Highest bidders win dinner date with one of eight local bachelors; winning bid goes to bachelor's favorite charity. Riverside Stage.

7 to 10 p.m. Hi Infidelity (REO, Journey, Styx tribute band), Riverside Stage