Sponsorship levels, team divisions for Dragon Boats

SPARTA — The fourth annual Sparta Education Foundation Dragon Boat Festival announces new sponsorship levels and team divisions for this fun-filled event on Lake Mohawk taking place Sunday, May 20.
The new sponsorship levels for 2018 include:
• Dragon Sponsor: $7,500 (Limit One Sponsor)
• Platinum Sponsor: $ 5,000 (Limit One Sponsor)
• Awards Sponsor: $2,500 (Limit One Sponsor)
• Gold Sponsor: $2,000 (Limit Five Sponsors)
• Leaderboard Sponsor: $1,500 (Limit One Sponsor)
• Silver Sponsor: $1,000
• Bronze Sponsor: $500
• Friend of the Festival: $250
For a detailed list of the benefits of each sponsor type, visit spartadragonboat.com
Another new aspect of the Dragon Boat Festival is team divisions. This can involve specific types of teams competing against each other, for instance gyms, teachers, real estate companies, beaches or other friendly competitors. “We’d like to offer divisions this year based on conversations we’ve had with paddlers over the past three years,” said Nancy Purnell, co-chair of the Dragon Boat Festival. “This is one of the ways we can level the playing field for our competitors and really get the crowd involved in cheering them on.”
The Dragon Boat Festival is a perfect team-building opportunity for teams of 21 that can include friends, co-workers, neighbors, church members, sports teams, clubs or any group who would like to be part of this exhilarating event. All skill levels can participate, making it the ultimate team-building sport, requiring synchronicity and finesse-- more than power-- to win.
Dragon Boat Races are held in 46-foot long boats, and teams of 21 compete in 250 meter heats. A team is comprised of 20 paddlers and one drummer. Each team in this positive, adrenaline-filled activity must include at least eight female paddlers and can include no more than ten participants between the ages of 15-17. A steersman is provided by the Dragon Boat Festival director. Each team will be invited to an on-water practice session on Lake Mohawk with a trained coach/steersperson prior to race day and every team competes in at least two heats on Sunday, May 20. Prizes will be awarded, but the real winners will be Sparta’s students.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, registering your team or volunteer opportunities, visit spartadragonboat.com or like the Facebook page at facebook.com/SpartaDragonBoatFestival.
Since 2006, the Sparta Education Foundation has funded over $898,000 in grants to all five of Sparta’s public schools. The Foundation is an all-volunteer, independent 501 (c) 3 NJ Non-Profit Corporation whose mission is to engage the entire community in philanthropic giving. Visit spartaeducationfoundation.org to learn more.