Callooh! Callay! Dragons at Play

“Gleaming, sunlit, from the shores, o’er the glass and through the wave,
Flashed the boatsmen’s lashing oars; dashing, darting, true and brave,
From the grass we watched them passing, cheering on their daring pace,
Slim and graceful, bold and fast; the majesty of the Dragons’ race.”

I was inspired to poetry by my adventure today.  As the long narrow boats raced by, I was gripped by the words from my childhood:

“Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe…”   

It WAS brillig, and if I’ve ever seen a slithy tove gyre and gimble, they couldn’t hold a candle to these.  These toves left no wabe ungimbled.  And you can quote me on that.  If you can.

This was the Upstate Dragonboat Festival, and it had been a gleaming success.  With my mouth full of oatmeal-raisiny goodness from the “Healthy Snacks” table, I got to watch as the sweat-and-lakewater drenched 1^st place team received their medals.  Much hooting and hollering was enjoyed by all.  All of the other teams were gathered around, each in their own colors, laughing and cheering to celebrate the close of the day.

For the last six years, hundreds of volunteers have gathered on the shores of the Portman Marina of Lake Hartwell for the Dragonboat race.  The yearly event raises money for cancer research and rehabilitation at GHS Cancer Center.  But the race itself is only a small part of the day.  Participants were pampered at the Rejuvenation Station by Wisteria, they got to relax in the fabulous chill spaces set up by CB Events, and had a generally festive day of community and fun!

AND they raised a record-breaking $200,000!  All in all, it was a frabjous day! And not a Bandersnatch in sight.

chortling in my joy,
your beamish boy,
TimTv

NEED FUN?  COME SHARE MINE!

• Mon. April 23 – Wasted Wine & The Cricket Kickers @ Handlebar in GVL – 8-11pm – excellent music with the added attraction of beautiful bellydancers!
• Fri. April 27 – Bassnectar VAVA VOOM TOUR 2012 @ Bi-Lo Center – All Ages – Doors at 7pm – you will dance like you were built for it.
• Fri. April 27 – Bassnectar AfterParty  @ Gottrocks in GVL – $10 – 21+ – show starts at 10pm with DJ sets by Knot & Tavo from Projekt Lotus
• May 4,5,6 – Albino Skunk Bluegrass Festival @ Skunk Farm in Greer – music & camping & bonfires & REALLY nice people!