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or over 50 years, a dragon (sometimes two) has made the run down Hodges Street on New Year’s Eve. In a year marked by a pandemic and gathering restrictions, the Dragon and team adapted.

If Oriental couldn’t visit the Dragon on Hodges, then the Dragon would visit Oriental. But that’s a long way to walk.

The Dragon, lit from within. (Bob Parker photo)

The Dragon and Team needed a ride. Dragon Master Jim Edwards put out a call for a trailer. The Spruills answered, lending a 24’ trailer for Dragon transport.

The Dragon Run became the Dragon Roll. TownDock.net mapped out the route with approximate times.

Where and when the Dragon could be expected to appear.

The forecast was for rain. But the Dragon team was determined to deliver. They were committed, rain or not. After 35 minute weather delay, the Dragon began its roll through town.

Standing under umbrellas, a distanced group watches the Dragon pass near Lou Mac Park. (Andrea Bruce photo)

For an hour, Dragon and team rolled through the neighborhoods of Oriental, forgoing Broad Street for the more residential Midyette. The tour took the usual parade route by the waterfront, then made a visit to neighborhoods Whittaker Point and Dolphin Point.

Residents came out to their porches, driveways, and sidewalks banging pots and pans as the Dragon rolled by.

The Dragon passed through familiar stomping grounds: Hodges Street.

Isabell Bohl, 6, and her grandmother Veronica McKay cheer the dragon on at Lou Mac Park. (Andrea Bruce photo)

A Dragon in profile. (Bob Parker photo)

Haley Rice, 11, and Willa Bruce, 2, wait in the rain on Midyette Street. (Andrea Bruce photo)

Longtime resident and unofficial town historian Grace Evans wrote in about the event:

To the dragon master and crew, Laura Turgeon and cartoon, TownDock and minute to minute info, and for an almost 60 year Oriental tradition continuing, thank you.

The dragon, he or she, has never looked so bright and cheery and free of care. May 2021 be the same for us all.

Appreciatively, Grace.

Artist Laura Turgeon’s rendition of the Dragon Roll:

One Happy New Year Dragon. (Laura Turgeon drawing)

Thanks go to the Dragon Team and others who made it happen. From Jim Edwards and Stephanie Carperos:

The Dragon Team is Scott Guess (head support), Cole Wise (the Dragon head). Ribs are: Caz Doyle, Amena and Aamir Matcheswala, Hanna Rogers, Nicole Edwards, Tristan Guess, Ari Paulik.

The Dragon Team.

Tail and dragon costume design – Jen Rodriguez. Stephanie and Sammy Guess – pooper scooper car. Jim and Stephanie – dragon drivers and music. The Spruills – trailer. Bill Wichrowski – police escort.

Thanks to the town for showing up, the spontaneous parade of cars to help with the horns, and Keith and TownDock for map drawing and hour by hour communication.

Watch the Dragon roll down Hodges Street on New Year’s Eve 2020:

Posted Friday January 1, 2021 by Allison DeWeese