As preparations for the 24th annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival continue, the event’s chair says the festival’s legacy is well worth celebrating.
Since 2001, the festival has raised more than $4.5 million for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and its foundation, ensuring world-class breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.
That, says Thornton, is no small feat, and is a tribute to the many volunteers, dragon boat racers and sponsors who have stepped to the plate year after year.
Thornton notes that while the festival rightly takes time to remember those lost, a strong celebratory emphasis centred around hope has remained its calling card.
Asked what keeps her involved and enthused, Thornton’s answer speaks to the motivation of those who return year after year.
This year’s festival goal is $260,018.01, of which close to $155,000 had been pledged as of June 2nd. For more information on this year’s festival, visit https://prhcf.akaraisin.com/ui/ptbodragonboat2025.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
