Annual event racks up $100,000 in fundraising for Powerhouse Ministries in its sophomore year
Colorful boats, synchronized paddlers and cheering spectators lined the shores and waters of Lake Natoma at Black Miners Bar Saturday as the second annual Folsom Dragon Boat Festival brought high-energy competition, community spirit, and plenty of heart to the water—all for a good cause.
Organized by Powerhouse Ministries, the event combined racing excitement with purpose, culminating in an impressive $100,000 raised in donations and pledges by the end of the afternoon. With its blend of athleticism, entertainment, and heartfelt mission, the event continues to grow as one of the region’s most anticipated fundraisers.
Dragon boat racing, a centuries-old sport with roots in ancient Chinese culture, features teams of 16 paddlers and one drummer per boat, working in rhythm to propel sleek, decorated boats down a short stretch of water. While rooted in tradition, it’s also inclusive—welcoming everyone from competitive professionals to complete novices.
Some teams in Saturday’s event train year-round and travel the country to race, while others were made up of Folsom locals who had never stepped into a boat before this weekend. To ensure everyone had the tools to succeed, organizers provided professional coaching in the days leading up to the event, offering newcomers a crash course in technique, teamwork, and rhythm.
Teams came dressed in coordinated outfits—some even in costume—as they competed for more than just speed. Awards were handed out for fundraising achievements, team spirit, and even best drummer attire, reinforcing the lighthearted camaraderie woven through the day’s serious fundraising mission.
But at the heart of the celebration was something much deeper—hope, second chances, and the life-changing mission of Powerhouse Ministries.
“Folsom is a place where people believe that anything is possible and where they are behind people having a second chance,” said Nancy Atchley, Executive Director of Powerhouse Ministries, during an address to the crowd. “Thank you for coming out today, for believing that people can actually change and for changing the reputation of Folsom from the end of the world—the Johnny Cash point—to being a place where anything is possible.”
The crowd heard powerful reminders that many of the paddlers weren’t just racing—they were rewriting their stories.
“At Powerhouse, we believe that some of the greatest heroes of our day are actually trapped in addiction, abuse, poverty, incarceration,” Atchley said. “It takes an individual to decide they’re willing to change, and then a community that comes alongside of them to help make change possible.”
Among the participants were many individuals closely involved with Powerhouse Ministries, including those connected through its various outreach and support programs. Atchley introduced several of the special entries: the Sassy Sisters, representing the women’s recovery center; the Ignite Boat, made up of youth breaking generational cycles; and men from the organization’s growing men’s program. Additional participants included local church groups, service clubs, medical professionals, and businesses from across the region, as well as a handful of professional dragon boat teams that joined the competition, adding both experience and excitement to the day’s races.
Folsom Vice Mayor and past Folsom Rotary President Justin Raithel was among the participants, marking the second year he was involved as well as the organization. Raithel’s team, quite visible all day in their nome hats, was one of the contenders into the final and found their way to the podium, but it was the fundraising that was the priority for all involved, and they are ready to do it again.
“Combining beautiful weather, friendly competition and a great cause, Powerhouse Ministries really put on an amazing and unique fundraiser,” Raithel told Folsom Times. “Our Rotary team has so much fun, we’re already registered for 2026!”
Each team brought their own flair to the festival with creative team names and coordinated outfits, adding a fun and spirited energy that captured the heart of the event.
The early heats launched with a burst of energy as Raithel’s team, proudly sporting their signature yellow shirts, pointy hats and big smiles, powered to an early lead in their opening race. They edged out the Bayside Buccaneers, who lived up to their swashbuckling name with a fiery second-place finish, while The Resurgence rounded out the group with determination that would serve them well later in the day.
In the following Powerhouse Division heats, the young and energetic Ignite Youth paddled their way into first, while the ever-spirited Trinity Rowers earned a strong second and the Sassy Sisters brought style and heart to third place. 34 Strong, showing solid teamwork, topped their matchup against Lakeside Legends, the team from Folsom’s Lakeside Church that was already earning buzz on the shoreline for their fast strokes and upbeat spirit.
One of the most unusual moments came when Fair Oar-Ks and Mercy Hospital Folsom’s Caring Crusaders ended their heat in a dead tie—both teams clocked in at exactly 1:02.080, making for a rare and exciting photo finish.
As the second round began, The Resurgence made it clear they weren’t done yet, beating Ignite Youth in a close rematch. Mercy Hospital Folsom’s Caring Crusaders edged out both Rotary Club of Folsom and Lakeside Legends in a tight and tactical race. Then the Sassy Sisters, shaking off their earlier third-place finish, came back with new determination to win their next heat over Fair Oar-Ks and 34 Strong.
The late morning wrapped up with Bayside Buccaneers topping Trinity Rowers in a fast-paced duel just before the teams broke for lunch.
As the afternoon finals began, the action didn’t let up. In the D Final, the Sassy Sisters claimed redemption with a strong win over Trinity Rowers. The C Final was a clash of strategy and stamina, with 34 Strong narrowly beating Ignite Youth in a neck-and-neck showdown. In the Minor Final, the Bayside Buccaneers found their rhythm and captured first place at 00:54.19, followed by Mercy Hospital Folsom’s Caring Crusaders at 00:55.17 and Fair Oar-Ks at 00:55.90.
Then came the highly anticipated Powerhouse Grand Final, a matchup that had built suspense all day long. After several strong showings in earlier heats, the Lakeside Legends, proudly representing Folsom’s own Lakeside Church, exploded off the starting line and never looked back. With precision paddling and incredible teamwork, they crossed the finish in a blazing 00:53.52 to take home the top title. The Resurgence, showing incredible grit, held close and finished second with 00:56.03. The ever-popular Rotary Club of Folsom gave it their all and rounded out the podium at 00:56.86—just three seconds behind the champions.
Meanwhile, in the Club Division, the elite-level paddlers brought thrilling speed to the water. The Alameda Dragon Flyers made waves early, clocking in at 00:66713 to win their heat against DieselFish and KP Dragons. The Collective followed with a dominating run at 00:640394, beating DragonMax handily. They weren’t done yet—The Collective shaved even more time off in their second heat, posting 00:627778 to again beat KP Dragons. The Alameda Dragon Flyers came back with a vengeance in a later heat, recording 00:54.510 to outpace DieselFish and DragonMax.
The Minor Final between KP Dragons and DragonMax was one of the closest of the day, decided by just two-hundredths of a second—00:56.64 to 00:56.66. In the Major Knockout Final, The Collective sealed their place as the fastest team on the water, clocking the event’s top time of 00:50.14 in their final run. DieselFish posted a time of 51.9 in their round, and Alameda Dragon Flyers followed closely with 51.4.
Saturday’s event featured more than just racing. Spectators enjoyed a shoreline festival atmosphere filled with live music, food trucks, and a bustling vendor village where local businesses and community organizations showcased their products and services. The festival was also supported by Folsom Times, which not only served as one of the official sponsors of the event but also kept the energy high as the official emcee throughout the day.
Folsom Times photos by Bill Sullivan.
Announcing every race, rallying the crowd, and bringing colorful commentary that added plenty of excitement to the race call, emcee Adam Frick delivered nonstop energy from start to finish. Spectators and participants alike were treated to his lively narration before, between, during, and after each event—adding context, fun facts, and spirited humor that brought the festival to life and kept the crowd engaged all day long.
Adding to the celebration, Vanessa Perez—a June graduate of the Powerhouse Leadership College—performed a stirring rendition of the national anthem, showcasing yet another life transformed by the programs attendees were supporting.
“Thank you guys for making this possible for them to make radical changes in their lives,” said Atchley. “I want you to see the results of what you’re doing today.”
Since 1992, Powerhouse Ministries has provided no-cost residential recovery programming for men, women, and teens throughout the Sacramento region. Its comprehensive services include licensed trauma therapy, relapse prevention, job readiness, life skills, counseling, and homeless prevention through its community care center. Many of Saturday’s racers are active participants in these transformative programs—living proof of what community support can achieve.
The Dragon Boat Festival continues to be more than just a day of fun on the water—it’s become a movement. With growing attendance, increased fundraising, and unwavering community support, the event has already carved out its place as one of Folsom’s most meaningful annual traditions. Plans are already underway for the 3rd annual event.
For more on Powerhouse Ministries or to learn how to participate in next year’s Dragon Boat Festival, visit www.phmfolsom.org.
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