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Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival September 16th, 2023
This fall classic is a magnet for East Coast teams looking to take part in high-quality racing while enjoying nature's beautiful backdrop. Crews from the New York and Philadelphia region return annually to create a vibrant athletes' village, setting up team tents and elaborate picnics in the shady woods neighboring festival grounds.
Competitive and recreational teams alike can count on friendly vibes and good times typical of the close-knit East Coast dragon boat community, with Sport Division teams enjoying a full day of up to five races including 200m, 500m, and 2k distances, and the Community Division teams participating in three 500m races.
On festival grounds you'll find the Health and Wellness Village, offering products and services to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Athletes can relax in team tents located throughout the Athletes' Village if they prefer not to set up in the forest.
The Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival hosted the USDBF Club Crew National Championships in 2013 and 2017 and the ERDBA Regional Championships from 2017-present.
CALLING ALL SOLO PADDLERS OR SMALL GROUPS
Are you looking to get on the water, but don't have a team? GWN is pleased to offer programs for solo paddlers or small groups through our Experience Dragon Boat Programs!
Experience Dragon Boat Train and Race: A five-week program, with one practice per week and finishing up at the Major League Dragon Boat Festival in your community. This is a perfect opportunity to try the sport. We supply you with all the equipment needed - paddles and lifejackets – all you have to do is show up in clothes that can get wet!
Experience Dragon Boat Race Ready: A program designed for people looking for minimal commitment and just want to race. The program offers a 1-hour practice and then participation in the event.
Learn more by clicking here.
IN 122 DAYS
EVENT SPECS
ERDBA Regionals
Sport & Community Divisions
Distances: 200m, 500m, 2k
Inflatable PFDs Allowed
BCP / ACP Ceremony
Industry Cups
Health & Wellness Village
Hover over each tab for more details
View All Event Details
# of Races
Before Jan 1st
Before June 1st
After June 1st
Sport Division
Mixed/Women's/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m, 1 x 2k*)
Community Division
Mixed/Women's/Open
(3 x 500m)
Practice Session
ERDBA Regional Championships
Prices are in USD.
Payment Methods: We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Check.
Paying by check: You will receive a discount of $25 USD. This discount will be automatically applied during the registration process.
*Top teams in each Sport Mixed, Women's, Open and BCS divisions will qualify for the 2000m race.
For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20 team site (footprint, not tent rental) within the Athletes' Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available. For more information, please refer to the "Athletes' Village" tab below. Teams may also order practice sessions, for more information please refer to the "Practice" tab.
Address: The event will be held at Mercer County Park, east of the Marina at 334 S Post Rd, West Windsor Twp, NJ 08691.
Event Site Map: Click here for a map to the event site.
Site Map: The 2023 site map will be posted 1 week before event day.
From US Route 1: Cross toll bridge into New Jersey on US Route 1. Take first right past Quakerbridge Road. Travel almost 2 ½ miles and turn left onto Hughes Drive. Proceed on Hughes Drive for ½ mile to the entrance of Mercer County Park on the left.
From NJ Turnpike: Take Turnpike South to Exit 8 at Highstown. Follow Route 33 West and turn right on 571. Travel on 571 for 2 ½ miles to Route 535 and proceed 4 miles to the entrance of Mercer County Park on the right.
Once you arrive in the park, make your way to the Boathouse/Marina and follow the signs to event parking. The event site is east of the Marina.
Park Rules: We're committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:
Pets are welcome at Mercer County Park but should be leashed at all times. No grills are allowed on park grounds.
Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites. In addition to handing out waste bags during team check-in, there will be wastebaskets located throughout the Athletes' Village to maintain the park's cleanliness. Let's all work together to keep Mercer County Park clean and green.
Medical Services: Medical services and first aid will be available on site. If you're in need of medical attention, please report to the medical tent for immediate assistance.
The schedule will be posted on the Monday prior to the event.
For the Race Structure and Point System, click here.
For the 2K Rules of Racing, click here.
For the MLDB Rules of Racing, click here.
Please note, teams noted with an (E) are teams contesting for the ERDBA Regional Championships in their respective divisions.
Schedule Advancement
Sport Divisions
Teams will race up to five times over three distances: 2 x 500m, 2 x 200m, 1 x 2,000m*.Teams will be ranked overall based on time, in the Qualifying Round. The 500m Qualifier will seed teams into the 500m Final. The 500m Final will seed teams into the 2,000m race. The 200m Qualifier will seed teams into the 200m Final.
Only the top teams in each division (i.e. Mixed, Women's, BCS, Open, ACS) will compete in the 2,000m race. Points for each distance will be awarded to each team based on overall placement in the Final round.
Teams not qualified for the 2,000m will receive points only for the 500m Final and 200m Final.
Community Divisions
Teams will race 3 x 500m.
To download the Festival Ranking and Points Breakdown, click here.
To download the 2K Rules, click here.
Race Marshaling
Marshaling for races will begin promptly half an hour before the first race on Saturday. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.
Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters on race day. Registration will be open from 6:30AM to 9:30AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.
For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Wednesday, September 13th. Online access to waivers will be restricted after the deadline, after which only paper copies will be accepted on Saturday morning.
Rules of Racing
Download the MLDB Rules of Racing.
Team Captain's Meeting
There will be a Team Captain's meeting on Saturday morning, 1 hour before the first race, at the Awards Stage to discuss race day rules and address any questions.
Sport Division: Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each Division, based on points overall in the Division.
Community Division: Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each Grand Final and the top team in each Consolation Final.
Consolation Finals
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.
Third and second-place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First-place teams will receive a trophy and medals.
Ceremonies will take place after each Consolation Race and Grand Final Race. Volunteers will gather the gold medal-winning team as they come off the water. They will be escorted directly to the award stage. Bronze and silver medal-winning teams will receive their medals in the dock area.
The A Division Grand Final for Mixed, Women's, and Open ceremonies will take place after all races are completed.
Ceremonies will take place after all races are completed and points are tabulated to determine the winners.
For information on how points are rewarded, download the Festival Points and Awards sheet.
Stay tuned for entertainment and on-site activities for 2023.
Health and Wellness Village
The Health and Wellness Village brings together health organizations and the community to promote health education.
GWN Pro Shop
Stay tuned for additional 2023 vendors.
Interested in being a vendor? Email us at info@gwnevents.com to find out more.
The event site is right by the Finish Tower along the watercourse (east of the Marina). The parking area will be located south of the event site, please check the map for the exact location. There will be signs to direct you to the parking area as well. Participants/spectators are also welcome to park at the Marina's parking lots. Walk towards the water and head east through the forest to the event site. Vehicles are not allowed on the event site, please do not go beyond the fence line. Park only in designated areas.
Looking to have some fun on the docks? Be the first to know the official results? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, and a really cool shirt, so please complete this Volunteer Form to join our team! To get more info or ask any questions, feel free to send us an email at volunteers@gwnevents.com.
The official host hotel of the Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival is the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal.
Princeton Marriott at Forrestal
100 College Road East
Group Name: GWN Dragon Boat Festival Room Block
Group Rate: $146 (King) or $156 (2 Doubles) per night plus applicable taxes
Room Block Deadline: Thursday, August 17, 2023
Reservations: Book online or call 1-800-228-9290 (1-609-452-7800) and quote group name "Canada GWN Dragon Boat Festival Room Block."
Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for Major League Dragon Boat participants.
To book your vehicle, please click here and enter discount code CDP2188961 or call 1-800-654-2240 and quote the code.
At the time of reservation, you will receive 20% off the retail rate using the discount code above.
GWN is proud to offer Major League Dragon Boat participants discounts on flights with United Airlines and American Airlines.
Participants can save 5% - 10% off airfares if traveling within US 50 States and between US 50 States and Canada.
To book your travel, visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and enter meeting code ZN4C999327 in the Promotions field.
Athletes Village
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20' footprint (not rental) in the Athletes' Village. Teams can bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available to rent.
There are 2 areas within the Athletes' Village available to teams: Forest and Main. The Forest Section is a free-for-all area and cannot be reserved in advance.
Team sites in the Main Athletes' Village are available for reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams must contact GWN to book their site after they have registered for the festival and paid fees in full.
Teams wanting to rent a tent can place an order using the Online Crew Management Tool by clicking "Get More".
10' x 10' Tent
Table Rental
1. Download a copy of the 2023 Venue Map.
2. Review the site availability grid below.
3. Select a site based on availability.
4. Email your selection to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
ATHLETES' VILLAGE SITE AVAILABILITY
Athletes' Village
3: Power Over Cancer
Practices for the Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival will be held at the event site.
Mercer County Park, east of the Marina
1638 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550
Each practice will be 50 minutes. Please arrive at the venue 30 minutes before your scheduled practice time. Practices will not be extended if a team is late. Practice sessions may be purchased at $100 each, through the online registration system by clicking on the "Get More" button.
Practices can only be confirmed once practice fees are received in full.
Each paddler must complete an online waiver before attending a practice. A GWN representative will be on-site to check teams in, provide assistance, and collect waivers.
For more information on what to bring, etc. visit our FAQ Page.
1. Ensure practice fees are paid.
2. Check practice availability in the calendar below.
3. Email your preferred date/time to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
4. Let GWN know if you require a coach/steers.
Please allow 48hrs for confirmation of practice times.
Participant Checklist
To view the 2023 Participant Checklist, click here.
UNTIL JAN 1: UP TO $300
UNTIL JUN 1: UP TO $200
MERCER COUNTY 2022
EXPERIENCE DRAGON BOAT RACING
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