Dragon Boat Festival in Arlington Heights July 28

Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights will be the site of the Chicago area’s first International Dragon Boat Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28.

Dragon boats are 40-foot human-powered canoes decorated with ornate Chinese dragon heads. Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams consisting of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer and one steersperson race the canoes along 500-meter courses.

David Parulo, president of the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau, said the festival is both a draw for out-of-town visitors as well as an attraction for area residents. Admission is free.

For more information, visit the website of Great White North Dragon Boat at gwndragonboat.com.