RHODE ISLAND, September 6 - PAWTUCKET, RI – Governor Dan McKee was joined today by Senator Sandra Cano and Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, and community
Although conditions are improving in Rhode Island, the organizers noted that the festival is held in a confined space at Festival Pier along the Pawtucket River, where it s difficult to maintain social distancing.
The festival, normally held in September, attracts thousands of spectators and dozens of competing teams from around the Northeast, according to the organizers.
Competing with fewer paddlers in the 30- to 50-foot vessels isn t feasible, organizers say. The bigger boats typically require 22 paddlers, while the smaller boats need 14.
Matt Robert, a race official and owner of 22Dragons boat racing club in Montreal, says, “The dragon boats used at the races in Pawtucket are just too big to move properly with the amount of paddlers when considering all current COVID-19 requirements.