5th Annual Bring Hope Dragon Boat Festival & Race

Saturday, April 17, 2027 · Fort Walton Landing Park
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Paddle with purpose. The Bring Hope Dragon Boat Festival & Race is a high-energy community event where teams race, celebrate, and raise support for young people and families in Okaloosa County.


Every registration, sponsorship, volunteer hour, and donation helps Bring Hope Now strengthen youth suicide prevention and expand access to local mental-health care.

Choose your way to make a difference

Paddle, sponsor, volunteer, or donate to support hope in our community.


Paddle or Form a Team

  • Team registration: {$1,100 through Sept 30, 2026} {$1,200 from Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026} {$1,400 from Jan 1, 2027 until race day}.
  • Each paddler is encouraged to raise at least $100 to support our work.
  • Rally friends, family, or coworkers and race together.

Donate

  • Support a paddler or team you know, or give directly to the event.

Sponsor

  • Partner with us to promote your business and bring hope to our community.

Volunteer

  • Offer your time and skills on race day or behind the scenes.

DON'T MISS OUT!!
REMEMBER....REGISTRATIONS ARE LIMITED SO REGISTER TODAY!

This event & our mission would not be possible without the help and support of our sponsors. 

Questions? Please Contact our Event coordinator -- Vandy Vela
at 'BringHopeDragonBoat@gmail.com' or directly at '850-714-7733' 

We have a limited number of spots and anticipate the event will fill up quickly. Our 2027 race is a little earlier this on April 17th starting at 8:30am and once again will be at the Ft. Walton Beach Landing Park. Depending on the number of teams, it will end approximately 4:00pm. There will be a live auction during lunch with a lot of GREAT prizes including restaurant certificates, vacation stays, a large bin full of liquor and MUCH more! Team registrations are available on this site.

Email BringHopeDragonBoat@gmail.com for more information or for sponsorship.

Getting ready for the race.

Expert steerers will engage your team providing guidance, training and practice sessions leading up to Race Day. This event is a fun filled day in which everyone can participate and contribute!

Traveling trophy for team bragging rights!

Not just fun, but competitive!

Sponsorship Opportunities

There are several ways you can help support the event and our Mission (several of which include securing your teams boat for Race Day :) !  Sponsorships of all levels are available and many things like meals & hotel rooms for our professional team that brings the boats in are needed.

Can someone say Team Spirit!

Teamwork is the way to win!

This event provides opportunities for your team, down to the individual paddler, to raise money for the cause. Teams will not only race, but will compete to raise the most funds in support of Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention.