There are festivals… and then there are the kind that bring a community together for something bigger. The 10th Annual Dragon Boat Festival is one of those moments—and you’re invited.
Hosted by the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, this exciting, family-friendly event is a day full of energy, connection, and purpose—all while raising critical funds for the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program.
🚣♀️ Event Details
📅 Date: April 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: ULM Bayou Desiard
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
🪑 Bring your lawn chairs and stay awhile!
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This is not your average Saturday—this is a full day of fun for all ages:
- 🐉 Dragon Boat Races with teams paddling in perfect sync
- 🎶 Music to keep the energy high
- 🍔 Food Trucks
- 🎈 Kids Zone packed with activities
- 📸 Incredible photo ops—including a massive dragon sculpture!
Whether your kids want to play all day or you just want to relax and enjoy the view, this event makes it easy to do both.
💛 Why This Festival Matters
The Dragon Boat Festival is the largest annual fundraiser for the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana—a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening children and families across our region.
Their work spans:
- Early Childhood Education
- Family Support Services
- Youth Development
- Health & Wellness Initiatives
And at the heart of this event is one incredibly important mission…
🧠 Supporting the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program
This year’s festival directly supports the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program, a life-saving initiative making a real impact in our local schools.
The SOS Program helps students:
- Recognize warning signs of depression and suicide
- Learn how to respond when they or a friend needs help
- Connect with trusted adults and professional support
It’s proactive. It’s powerful. And it’s needed.
When you attend the festival, you’re helping ensure that more students have access to the tools and support they need—because no child should struggle alone.
🌟 A Community That Rows Together
There’s a reason this event has lasted 10 years…
It’s more than just a race.
It’s teams made up of local businesses, families, schools, and organizations—all coming together with one shared goal: supporting our kids.
When we row together, we grow together.
👨👩👧👦 Why Parents Should Go
If you’re looking for something that’s:
✔️ Fun for all ages
✔️ Easy on the budget (hello, FREE admission!)
✔️ Meaningful and impactful
This is it.
Pack up the kids, grab those lawn chairs, and come enjoy a day that blends fun and purpose in the best way possible.
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