Shadrach the Dragon made his first public appearance in Virginia Beach at the Bayside High School Homecoming Parade last week. The massive dragon was handcrafted by a friend of Rachel Gardner, a social studies teacher at Bayside. Shadrach was created for the 2012-13 theater season at the Columbia Marionette Theater in South Carolina. At the end of the season, Shadrach was to be retired and “sent to live on the dragon farm on the outskirts of town.”
However, he was so loved by all who saw him that a plea was put out for someone to “foster” him rather than allow him to be destroyed.
Gardner saw an opportunity. She made the trek to South Carolina to bring Shadrach to Bayside.
Shadrach is currently hanging from Gardner’s 16 foot ceiling. Gardner added that dragons tie in with parts of her World History I curriculum thus her reason for driving to South Carolina to save him.
I will miss being a part of Shadrach but so glad that he is surrounded by children! The Scallon’s do such a great job! Brenda from Columbia, SC
Speaking as one of Shadrack’s close friends and previous flyers, I am very pleased to see him fly again. I am so glad he has a good home with people who will enjoy him and help him entertain others. Thank you so much for keeping him alive.