But unlike the plot of a current blockbuster film, the dragons are not bent on destruction. Instead, they plan to glide across the lakes of Flushing…
By Alexander Dworkowitz
A pair of dragons opened their eyes last Thursday in Lower Manhattan intent on descending on Queens.
But unlike the plot of a current blockbuster film, the dragons are not bent on destruction. Instead, they plan to glide across the lakes of Flushing Meadows Corona Park as part of the 12th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival the weekend of Aug. 10-11.
With an estimated 30,000 people in attendance last year, the festival has become one of the largest multicultural celebrations in New York City, festival organizers told a Manhattan news conference.
Before the conference, the Rev. Timothy Yau, a Taoist priest, conducted a ceremony blessing two of the six new dragon boats shipped from Hong Kong, painting eyes on the dragons to awaken them and bring good fortune to the city.
“This kind of ceremony is not only for the dragon boat festival,” Yau said. “It’s to have God bless us and give us peace and prosperity.”
The festival centers on a race which has been a Chinese tradition for over 2,000 years.
In the third century B.C., Qu Yun, a court minister and poet who lived in the Chu province, was banished from his homeland by the king after the poet advocated reforming the state.
Wandering about the country writing radical poetry, Yun got word that his province had been invaded and overcome by sadness jumped into the Mi Lo River.
Locals raced in their boats in an attempt to save Yun, but the reformer drowned. To prevent fish and water dragons from chewing on the body, the rescuers beat their drums, splashed their paddles and threw rice dumplings into the water to give the hungry predators another option.
In recent decades, dragon boat racing has become increasingly popular. The first international dragon boat race was held in Hong Kong, the mecca of the sport, in 1978.
Now in 2002, the race occurs in more than 40 countries worldwide, with the Flushing Meadows race the home of the U.S. national championship.
“We are proud that the event has grown to be one of the largest in the United States,” said Sarah Wu, director of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, one of the race’s sponsors.
This year about 80 teams of more than 1,000 rowers will compete in championship, women’s, youth and sponsor races in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
About three decades ago, Hong Kong standardized the sport. Boats must be made of teak, a heavy tropical wood found in Asia, sport the head of a dragon in front and carry a tail in back. The vessels are 38 feet long and weigh close to a ton.
Boats competing for the New York City and national championships have 18 paddlers, a steerer and a drummer, while boats in the other events are less crowded.
The festival, however, comprises more than races, with kung fu demonstrations, a concert, and ethnic food courts and booths all part of the plans.
Henry Wan, chairman of the festival, said the race in Flushing Meadows was growing more diverse every years.
“It started as a Chinese and Asian event,” he said. “But the last few years, both the participants are spectators are roughly half Asian, and half non-Asian.”
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
