Outdoor events can be hit or miss, largely depending on the weather. For years, Smoke on the Water has been more miss than hit, plagued by high winds one year, the threat of a major hurricane another year, raining cats and dogs yet another year. October is one of those months where the weather can be capricious.

Not so on Saturday. Saturday was temperate and sunny and the crowds came out to celebrate the beautiful weather and one of Washington’s signature events.

More important, the crowds came out in full force for a new event, one embedded within the greater Smoke on the Water barbecue festival: dragon boat racing.

On Friday evening, a crowd could be seen gathering at the docks. Spectators dotted the waterfront railing. The same could be said early Saturday morning, as six teams, each team with 21 participants, took turns tackling a new sport for a good cause: Pamlico-Tar River Foundation’s educational and environmental outreach.

But once the races started on Saturday, the crowd began to grow. It grew and grew, as the enthusiasm of all the dragon boat racers and their supporters spread through the crowd. There were the kids from Riverside High School in Williamston, whose youthful enthusiasm was catching. There were the bright — and silly — hats the Inner Banks Outfitters team wore. There was an emcee, in full referee gear complete with whistle, who danced and high fived his way through the day.

More than one person said they’d never seen so many people on the waterfront — not like that, a crowd pressed to the railing, eyes glued to the action on the water, enjoying themselves and the races on a beautiful day. If given a choice, more than one person watching on the sidelines would have rather been on one of those boats themselves.

Dragon boat races are exactly what Washington needs, either as part of a larger event like Smoke on the Water, or an event that stands alone. According to organizers, Washington is the perfect place for them: sheltered waters for the participants, a waterfront where people watching are close enough to feel like they are part of the action.

More than that, however, is the sport’s inclusiveness. Anyone can do it, as could be seen in the makeup of the teams on Saturday. It’s a sport that brings people from all walks of life out to enjoy the gift of the Pamlico River and the Washington waterfront together.

Washington needs more events just like it.