Holy boats! Church Dragon boat festival draws thousands
Posted: 04.28.2012 at 3:45 PM

More than 3,000 people came out to the Market Common for the 4th annual Dragonboat festival Saturday.

Boats took over the water at Grand Park in Myrtle Beach. About 900 people took part in the race, splitting up into teams. Each team included 20 rowers, a captain, and a drummer. The drummers tried to keep rowers in sequence with their drum beat.

This is the fourth year for Marvin Heyd with Prudential Myrtle Beach. His team had one of the fastest times, 57.3 seconds.

"When you first start it's a little uncoordinated, but when you get to the finish line you're in sync," he says.

Many drummers decided to get decked out for the race. They dressed in boas, feathers, and sequins.

Paula Cika, a drummer for the Myrtle Beach High school team spent a few hours on her costume.

"I'm supposed to be a seahawk, chicken, bird or whatever you want to call it. It's all homemade. This is a tutu I put feathers in it and the wings are made out of card board and feathers," she said.

The event was held by Ground Zero christian ministries.