DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard
SCUGOG: At a Township of Scugog's council meeting, on Monday, March 3rd, Shawna Cornish, Manager of Parks, Recreation, and Culture, presented a report, on the upcoming 2025 Dragon Boat Festival on Lake Scugog. The report followed a request, from event organizer Kaitlyn Dunlop, who sought a waiver for all applicable rental fees for the popular annual event.
Council members heard the festival which raised $32,000 in 2024, for the Port Perry Hospital Foundation and Scugog Lake Stewards, will once again support these causes in 2025. Ms. Dunlop confirmed, the funds raised from the 2025 event would be pledged to Lakeridge Health Foundation and the Scugog Lake Stewards, benefiting the Scugog community.
Ms. Cornish explained the total in-kind contribution, requested for the festival, was $4,107 which includes rental fees for Palmer Park, additional permits, and parking lot costs. “The Dragon Boat Festival has always been an event which fosters community spirit and raises substantial funds for local charities,” Ms. Cornish said in her report. "Waiving these fees is a small way the Township can support the event and contribute to these worthy causes."
The Special Events Policy allows for the waiving of fees for Recognized Community Events. The Dragon Boat Festival fits the criteria, as it is organized by non-profit organizations and raises funds solely for the benefit of the community.
Council unanimously passed the recommendations, agreeing to waive the $4,107 rental fees for Palmer Park, for six training nights and the day of the festival, June 14th, 2025.
Mayor Wilma Wotten expressed strong support for the event, stating, “The Dragon Boat Festival is an integral part of our community. Supporting this event not only benefits local charities but also brings people together, to celebrate the beauty of Lake Scugog.”
The Township will also help promote the festival, by sharing communications materials, posters, and social media posts through its channels. The organizers are encouraged to post the event, to the self-serve community tourism calendar, at scugogtourism.ca.
Staff time, to support the event, will total approximately $1,000 in costs, covering duties such as setting up picnic tables, delivering garbage cans, and installing additional signage. The event’s success continues to highlight the generosity and collaboration within the Scugog community. “You can tell your team the request was successful, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone on the lake, in June,” Mayor Wotten concluded.
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