The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation, along with presenting sponsors Louisiana Mortgage Associates and Northwest Mutual, will host the fourth annual Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. VIP Event Sponsors include L'Auberge Casino Resort, Entergy, Coushatta Casino Resort and Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana.

A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft and is the basis of the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing, an amateur water sport, which has its roots in an ancient folk ritual of contending villagers held over the past 2000 years throughout southern China. The sport is known for team-building.

In this year's race, up to 35 teams will compete to be awarded the 2016 Dragon Boat Race winning team. Each team consists of 20 members who paddle a 41-foot vessel to the beat of their team drummer. During the races, Kohl's Kids Club will hold a Healthy Living Fair at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be activities for the entire family that encourage good nutrition and healthy choices.

Everyone is invited out to watch this exciting event. There will be food and drink vendors, music, karaoke and a family-friendly atmosphere. The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation is excited to bring this opportunity to promote fitness and wellness in an atmosphere of camaraderie at our picturesque Lakefront Seawall and Boardwalk.