JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The fourth Dragon Boat Regatta will begin bright and early Saturday morning.
Friday afternoon tents were being prepared at Old Trace Park for the party and the event.
A record 47 teams, with nearly 1,200 participants, will try to row to victory.
They'll race about a quarter of a mile for numerous awards, in different categories.
Some groups have two teams. Many of them say it's all about having fun, but they've also been preparing for some time.
"We've got a lot of great folks on our team. It's always good to get together and have a lot of fun together out here on the water; a great team building exercise as well," says participant Brian Ramsey.
"You got to have the strength to do it. Also endurance is a big portion of it, you really need to be able to have the lungs to exceed," explains participant Warren Brandon.
The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at Old Trace Park.
The first race is slated for 9:30.
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