Team Friendship will Paddle Again!
The US-China Peoples Friendship Association – Minnesota Chapter will be floating the “Team Friendship” once again, and we are looking for paddlers, helpers, and sponsors.
Many of you have participated in past years, but some of you may be new to our Dragon Boat team activity. The event will again be held at Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul, on July 14 and 15. We have registered a boat for Saturday, July 14. For more information about the event, visit www.dragonfestival.org. For
information on how YOU can participate or help, see below!
Team Friendship is one way that the USCPFA-MN fulfills its mission of building mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of China and the United States. In prior years our team has been the model of diversity (10 men and 10 women; 10 people of Asian heritage, 10 of Western; age range from 19 to late 60’s; different interests and occupations) but one singular goal: spending a day appreciating the culture of China among friends right here in Minnesota (and getting a brief but intense physical experience out on one of our 10,000 lakes as well).
Participation as a paddler/drummer/flag catcher entails showing up the previous Thursday evening for a short meeting (and distribution of the coveted shirts), and then spending from about 9:00 am to about 4:00 pm at the festival. In the afternoon there are two races of two heats each, plus practice runs in the morning. Lunch will be provided (thank you, helpers), and we are hoping
to serve the traditional zong zi (glutinous dumplings) again. The team has its own tent and gathering area, and the festival grounds are full of information booths, live entertainers and food vendors as well.
This year we are dealing with participation fees a little differently from prior years. For participants, the fee will be $30 per person, which includes the shirt, lunch and a place in the boat. NEW THIS YEAR, we are seeking sponsors (who have helped us in the past but never received proper recognition) whose NAMES (for contributions of $100) or LOGOS (for contributions of $200) will be PRINTED ON THE SHIRTS (if desired). Contributions of any amount, from paddlers or sponsors, are greatly appreciated. (This all helps to defray the
considerable cost of registration/boat rental.)
We encourage each of you to consider paddling (or drumming, or flag-catching), as well as contributing (and/or approaching your businesses or employers) as sponsors this year. Let’s make 2018 a great year for Team Friendship!
Yours in friendship,
Cap’n Ralph (Aka Ralph Beha, President, USCPFA-MN)