The Stratford Rotary Club hosts its 29th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Victoria on Saturday, September 19, 2026, bringing more than 3,000 spectators to the city for a day of racing, food, and entertainment.
Forty-eight teams will compete in 500-metre races, a 2,000-metre championship final for the top eight teams, and 100-metre sprints featuring the top four women’s division and top four breast cancer survivor teams. The event is free to attend and is the Rotary Club’s single largest fundraiser each year.
Since the festival began in 1996, it has raised more than $1.1 million for community projects in Stratford. This year, there is a new Community Team Challenge that lets local dragon boat teams raise additional funds for The Local Community Food Centre and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. Gilly’s Pubhouse is the presenting sponsor for the 2026 event.
Event organizers are still accepting volunteers and team registrations. People interested in participating can contact the Rotary Club of Stratford.
