Dragon bids adieu, welcomes new

December 30, 2008 by pamliconews

The Oriental Dragon catches her breath between two runs, always set for 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

JEFF AYDELETTE
PAMLICO NEWS STAFF

As is its custom, the Oriental Dragon should emerge twice from a hidden lair this Wednesday night, running boisterously amid large crowds along Hodges Street on the town's waterfront, first at 8 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m.

The Running of the Dragon, a town tradition that has been traced to the mid-1960s with only a handful of dropped years, ushers in a New Year once again.

Well-wishers typically greet the beast with a clamor of pan-banging and assorted noise-makers. To ensure good luck in 2009, touching is allowed, but gently please. Heavy pats or squeezes are liable to take a toll on the ancient creature.

However, age is a state of mind, according to the dragon's spokesman, "Tall Tim" Rogers, who has pronounced 'her' well-rested and raring to go.

"Being a gentleman, I have never really peeked to determine gender," chuckled Rogers, "but those of us who are close to the dragon have sort of adopted the same terms as we might use in referring to ships."

Fortunately, a facelift of sorts, undertaken two years ago, has given the shapely form a new lease on life. Last year, observers were impressed with the dragon's lively gait. Indeed, she seemed to frolic about like a youngster during both of her runs.

Helpers like Rogers seem to miraculously appear on the evening of the annual event.
"Folks come along and fade in and out during the course of the runs," he said. "We never know quite what to expect until we get going. After all, the body is probably 50 to 60 feet long so it takes a lot of effort to come to life."

If all goes well, look for a more recent tradition to follow the dragon's second outing. Seconds before midnight, the dropping of an illuminated 'Croaker' from a precarious perch high over the town dock should lend an even more festive accent to the annual celebration. Oriental resident Mike Vardy is frequently on hand to welcome the New Year with several enthusiastic clashes of cymbals.

Spectators should bundle up, but leave the umbrellas at home. The weather forecast for 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009, is 37 degrees F. with winds from the northwest at approximately 13 miles per hour, putting the wind chill at a brisk 29 degrees.

Permalink