The Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival began in 2002, initiated by local Rotary Clubs, with 17 crews participating in its first year. The festival has since grown to include over 70 teams, ranging in age from teenagers to seniors, and is a significant community event. 

The festival is inspired, in part, by the Abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team, a group of breast cancer survivors who have used dragon boat racing as a form of exercise and social support for 25 years. The Calgary Canoe and Kayak organization loaned the Abreast a Bridge their very first boat, which was not a dragon boat, but rather a ten-seater Voyager Canoe.

The festival also aims to celebrate the multicultural nature of Lethbridge, including Chinese and Blackfoot cultures. 
The Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event that has been running for over 20 years. It was started by members of the Lethbridge Rotary Clubs, and has become a well-attended community event. The festival features dragon boat races, opening and closing ceremonies with traditional elements like Lion Dances and a Dignitary Paddle, and an Awards presentation recognizing various teams. 

The festival’s inception was influenced by the Abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team, a group of breast cancer survivors who have been paddling for 25 years. They found that dragon boat racing provided a great way to exercise and socialize, and their experiences helped inspire the wider community to participate.