Both organizers and every member of the public we spoke to about the new location for the Sault North Rotary Dragon Boat Festival expressed delight with the Topsail Island venue.
It was the first time in recent years that a large-scale summer festival was hosted at the site, and there seemed to be consensus that the outstanding success of Saturday's event will probably bring other events there.
"Counting the teams and spectators, we think there were 3,000 people here today," said event chair Jeff McWhinney.
The new location, with little or no current opposing the boats, was both safer and more fair to competitors, organizers said.
It also allowed spectators a clear view of the entire race from start to finish, and greater opportunities to generate proceeds for the Sault North Rotary Club and Sault Search and Rescue.
To see SooToday's weekend photos from Topsail Island, please click on the links below.
2003 Dragon Boat Festival #1 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #2 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #3 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #4 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #5 Angry Dragon collapses after close race against mighty S.S. Minnows 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #7 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #8 Baby picture #1 Baby picture #2 Baby picture #3 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #12 2003 Dragon Boat Festival #13 Another shot of our cartwheeler, Miss Shryer These people are Bad Apples! OLGC hits the jackpot We're number one!