The dragon awakens, and it then begins — The Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, which celebrates the sport of dragon boat racing and breast cancer survivors in the greater Pittsburgh area.

The festival on Sept. 30, at North Park Lake on Pearce Mill Road is in its fifth year and was founded by Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel, a nonprofit breast cancer support group,

“It’s just a fun event to come and watch the races,” said Sandy Hirsch, a survivor and festival co-chair. “You just feel the love.”

The 200-meter race will start from the North Park Boathouse off Pearce Mill Road. There are two heats, one in the morning and then afternoon until the final races.

Each dragon boat is adorned with a dragon head and tail and holds 20 paddlers, who will race for first place, according to Hirsch.

Each boat also has someone in the rear to steer and a drummer in front to keep cadence.

“It’s just so fast paced. It’s exciting and exhilarating,” Hirsch said.

The day begins at approximately 8:30 a.m. by waking up the dragon with the eye-dotting ceremony, in which an eye is painted or drawn on the dragon’s head.

The festival will feature a performance by the Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group and a breast cancer survivor ceremony.

The deadline to register a team is Sept. 15, and no experience is necessary. The week prior to the race there are several training days for teams to learn and practice the sport, Hirsch said.

The race will be produced by dragon boat event organizer, 22Dragons of Canada, Hirsch said.

The Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel dragon boat has a team made up of breast cancer survivors, and operates under the umbrella of Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pittsburgh.

Janice Bagnato, of Gibsonia, said she was looking for a support group after her second breast cancer diagnosis in 2014. She is one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel.

“You get a diagnosis of breast cancer and your whole world is turned upside down,” Bagnato said.

The racing helped her get in shape and find support from others going through the same thing. She said it’s a challenge to move the boat quickly in sync with other teammates.

“This sport and women have changed my life,” said Bagnato, who recently turned 60. “The camaraderie is amazing.”

Boats race in divisions that include community, mixed or women; sports; youth; and breast cancer survivors.

The North Allegheny Hockey Team is participating in the youth category again this year, after placing first in 2022. Bagnato’s husband, Mike, a former hockey coach at North Allegheny, got his hockey players involved at the first year of the races in 2018.

Current NA Hockey coach Andrew Siess continues the tradition and said it’s a great team-building event.

“We do this to help support and represent Mrs. Bagnato who is deeply involved with the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Team, “ Siess said. “Our team really enjoys the day together, friendly competition, and giving back to a great cause.”

Hirsch said corporate teams will also use it as a community-building event.

Rich in tradition and Chinese culture, Dragon Boating dates as far back as 2,500 years ago, according to the festival’s website.

Spectators are welcome.

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