Union Members Compete at Stonewall Lake
Members of the North Central West Virginia Building and Construction Trades, along with family and friends, brought home the gold at the First Annual Vandalia Health Dragon Boat Festival, held at Stonewall Lake
Victory for “The Union Current”
Competing against 10 other teams, the Building Trades team — named The Union Current — paddled their way to victory, taking first place in the finals.
Supporting Vandalia Health’s Mission
The Dragon Boat Festival was created to support Vandalia Health, whose mission is to enhance community health through clinical excellence. This year’s proceeds benefited clinical expansions at Preston Memorial Hospital and Stonewall Jackson Hospital.
Bringing Communities Together
The event combined competition, teamwork, and philanthropy, offering participants of all ages and abilities a chance to celebrate community while raising funds for a worthy cause.
About the Dragon Boat Race
The dragon boat is a 46-foot canoe adorned with an ornately carved dragon head and tail. Each boat seats 20 paddlers, one drummer, and a steerer, working in sync to power the boat forward.
Racing on Stonewall Lake
The 200-meter course challenged teams through heats, semi-finals, and finals. With average race times just over 1 minute, the competition was fast-paced and intense
Union Pride on Display
“Through sweltering heat and fierce competition, it was more than a race…This was a powerful testament of uniting behind a vital cause.”
John Epperly, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Central WV Building Trades
Leadership Applauds the Effort
Shawn Young, President of IBEW Local 596 and a team organizer, added
“Dragon boat racing is all about working together in unison to achieve a common goal. Who better for such an event than a group of union brothers and sisters? We proved that no one can get the job done better or faster than the Building Trades — and had a lot of fun along the way.”
