Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the Festival run?
A: For the participants, the Festival begins at approx. 8:30 with a captain’s meeting. The races typically begin at 9:00 and end at 17:00. The awards ceremony is held immediately afterward in the Club Hall.
Q: Who is the Carleton Place Boat Festival and is it part of the Carleton Place Canoe Club?
A: The Festival is an independent group of volunteers who founded and continue to run this festival. The CP Canoe Club and the Dragon Boat Festival are independent of each other. The Festival simply rents the hall from the CPCC. For more information on how we started visit the About Us page.
Q: Is there food available at the festival?
A: Yes. Several vendors have a variety of food and drink available, and alcoholic beverages are available at the Club Hall.
Q: Is there an admission fee for spectator’s?
A: No. There is no admission fee to the park or for the Festival.
Q: How do I get to the festival?
A: The festival is located at Riverside Park in Carleton Place. An interactive GoogleMap is located on the Contact Us page. There is ample parking available and is indicated by signs on race day.
What is the cost and schedule for practices?
We offer 12 practice sessions the week leading up to the Festival. On the following days:
Tues Sept 4 – (2) 5pm, (2) 6:15pm
Wed Sept 5 – (2) 5pm, (2) 6:15pm
Thurs Sept 6 – (2) 5pm, (2) 6:15pm
These practice times are reserved for teams who register before the early bird registration deadline. If there are practice times that are not reserved, then we would rent the practice time for $65/hr. (This is without a Coach)
Note: Registration is not complete until the Festival office receives the teams registration form and payment.
If we require a steersperson, how do we make the charitable donation to the Hospital?
I can do it directly at http://www.carletonplacehospital.ca/foundation_howtogive.aro but am unsure how to alert you to that having been done.
Also, what is the different between Open and Community teams?
PLease forward a cheque to the Festival, with it made out to the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital. We will forward it to the Hospital on your behalf.
With respect to the difference between the teams, the rules should be fairly clear on this. All community teams must have a minimum of 15 paddlers who are residents of Carleton Place and area (including Mississippi Mills and Beckwith Township).
I assume that the free practice included in the early bird registration is held at the Carleton Place Canoe Club?
Yes it is.
How do I join a team if I don’t have any? And how many practises are there before the race?
Caroline, the Festival doesn’t have the facility to place individuals with teams. However, once significant registrations have been received, we will point the teams to this blog so that if they are looking for spare paddlers, your post will be visible to them.
Regarding practices, teams that register prior to July 8 receive a free team practice the week leading up to the festival. In addition, teams can purchase additional practices from the Festival the week leading up to the festival.
Hope that helps.
Glenn
VP, Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival