This colorful dragon wagon, called "Chang the Dragon," turned 35 years old on Aug. 14. Chang has performed at festivals throughout the area this summer and had a star turn at the Midwest Shrine Convention in Bloomington a few weeks ago.
According to the Osman Shrine organization's history of the attraction, "it was created in 1982 by Maggie Bell Calin, who did prop work for the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre for approximately $6,000. Chang attended his first parade on Aug, 14, 1982, in Chatfield's Western Days."
The "smoke" that jets out from the dragon's nostrils is harmless carbon dioxide gas, Art tells me. While that adds to Chang's carbon footprint, it's all for a good cause. As the Osman Shrine's Dragon Patrol website says, "Chang parades so children can walk." The Shriners support the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, and others across the country and in Canada and Mexico.
