Lights of Courage Campaign

The Lights of Courage campaign, started by the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for BC Cancer Foundation’s work on the Island since the Festival started almost 3 decades ago.

This fundraising campaign has become a part of the Festival, using traditional Chinese lanterns that are displayed during the Mid Autumn Festival, which typically falls around early Fall annually.

The Mid Autumn Festival is tied in thousands of years of folklore, but typically revolves around celebrating the harvest season, with traditional activities including eating mooncakes and seeing the moon at night when it’s at its largest and roundest annually. Lanterns serve a practical purpose by lighting the way, but also symbolize luck and fortune.

You have a chance to contribute to the fight against cancer, by purchasing a lantern for $3: on-site at the Festival on race day, or at any Fairway Market location leading up to the Festival!

On each lantern, you can choose to leave a message to commemorate a loved one’s battle with cancer as a beacon of hope and strength. Proceeds from lantern sales will support BC Cancer Foundation’s work, as well as the Festival’s ongoing operations.

Direct Donation Campaign

If you can’t purchase a lantern, we encourage you to donate directly to the BC Cancer Foundation through the link below. The top fundraising team will win a special prize redeemable at the Festival! Your support WILL make a difference in the lives of those living with cancer in BC.