County approves permits for Dragon Boat Festival and two High Rock Lake events

Rowan County commissioners on July 21 approved special‑event permits for the 11th Annual Dragon Boat Festival and two proposed High Rock Lake events, including a new hot‑dog/DJ float concept. County staff said the Dragon Boat Festival application met the permit criteria and that organizers had mailed notices and posted signs as required. The Chamber of Commerce‑run event is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, and staff estimated attendance at about 500 people to raise funds for the chamber’s small business programs. Daniel Matangira, the festival chair, thanked the commissioners for their continued support. The board also approved two permits related to Goat Island and High Rock Lake. One is the longstanding Float the Goat concert event, proposed for Aug. 9 (rain date Aug. 10). The other is a new, smaller event proposed by local organizer Mikey, who described a licensed food vendor on a floating platform serving lunch (planned noon to 3 p.m.) with a DJ. Staff told commissioners that environmental health had reviewed the vendor and that the sheriff’s office and wildlife personnel had been consulted; no objections were reported in the staff review. Both lake events include shoreline coordination and boat resources for safety; staff said letters were mailed to nearby property owners in advance and that prior years’ events generated few problems. Commissioners opened public hearings for the events; the Dragon Boat Festival and the lake events had representatives in the room and no public opposition was recorded. Each permit was approved after motions, seconding and unanimous affirmative votes.