It was a day of food, fun and photo finishes Saturday as participants and spectators packed Sombrero Beach in Marathon for the inaugural Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival.
The races drew more than 300 participants on 16 teams. Teams raised a combined $7,791 for local charities, with $6,085 of that going to Heron-Peacock Assisted Living. The group provides housing and services for men and women with mental illness in the Keys. Reef Relief received $565 in pledges and will receive yet-to-be-determined beverage sale profits.
Karen Bowers says hopefully the seed is planted for bigger and better races in years to come.
Photos by Larry Kahn and Ryan McCarthy
