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BEMIDJI -- One by one dragon boats were lowered into the Mississippi River on Monday morning where it flows between Lake Irving and Lake Bemidji, meaning we are just one step closer to the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival.

The 15th annual festival will take place Wednesday, Aug. 4, through Saturday, Aug. 7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront.

Here's a look at the complete festival schedule:

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. -- Sanford Health Foundation of Minnesota Annual Taco Fest
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den open: Sponsor appreciation night
• 5 to 8 p.m. -- Practice sessions, the public is welcome to watch
• 5 to 8 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Rhonda & Orlando

• 4 to 8 p.m. -- Food court open
• 5 to 11 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den open: Community appreciation night
• 5 to 9 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Mix 103.7 Live
• 5 to 9 p.m. -- Practice sessions, the public is welcome to watch
• 6:30 to 9 p.m. -- 10th Annual Cornhole Tournament

• Noon to 7 p.m. -- Merchandise tent open
• Noon to 9 p.m. -- Food court open
• 3 to 5 p.m. -- Practice sessions, the public is welcome to watch
• 4 p.m. to midnight -- Dragon’s Den open
• 6 to 6:30 p.m. -- Parade of Teams and Opening Ceremonies
• 6:30 to 7 p.m. -- Mandatory Sprint Cup Team managers meeting
• 7 to 8 p.m. -- 8th Annual Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup Races
• 8 to 10 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Fun Pianos - Dueling Piano Show

• 8 to 9 a.m. -- 7th annual 5k run/walk
• 9 to 9:30 a.m. -- 1/2k Kids Fun Run
• 8 to 10 a.m. -- Race Day Breakfast in the Dragon’s Den
• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- Merchandise tent open
• 8:45 a.m. -- Mandatory all team managers meeting
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Round 1 Heats: Dragon Boat Races
• 9 a.m. to midnight -- Dragon’s Den open
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Food court open
• 1:30 to 4:15 p.m. -- Round 2 Heats: Dragon Boat Races
• 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. -- Finals: Dragon Boat Races
• 5:30 to 6 p.m. -- Dragon Boat Festival Awards and Closing Ceremonies
• 6 to 11 p.m. -- Dragon’s Den Entertainment: Corey Medina & Brothers

All race times are tentative and subject to race-day circumstances.

For more information, visit

1/9: Scott Turn attaches a strap to a dragon boat as the boats are unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

2/9: Dragon boats are unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

3/9: A dragon boat is unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

4/9: A dragon boat is placed in the Mississippi River on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

5/9: A dragon boat is placed in the Mississippi River on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

6/9: Dragon boats are hooked to a boat near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, to haul them to the Lake Bemidji waterfront in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

7/9: Erin Echternach counts paddles as the dragon boats are unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

8/9: Lee Furuseth unloads paddles as the dragon boats are unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

9/9: Scott Turn, left, hands paddles to Kevin Grzela, GWN boat technician, as the dragon boats are unloaded near the Mississippi River bridge on Monday morning, Aug. 2, 2021, in preparation for the 15th Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, set for Aug. 4-7, on the Lake Bemidji waterfront. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)