Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing

The popular and colorful Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will again thrill thousands of fans in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, 2006. The oldest, largest, and most traditional dragon boat festival in the United States and the largest multi-cultural festival in New York will be held for the 16th year in the park.
The festival, which takes place for 2 days, is a multicultural celebration and an intense sporting event that has attracted over 50,000 diverse, multi-cultural people throughout North America for the past 15 years.
More than 125 well-trained teams with 1,500 participants from across the U.S. and Canada compete for their share of $15,000 in cash prizes and a round trip ticket to Hong Kong.
A dragon boat weighs about a ton and is generally constructed from teak wood. Sitting in two rows of nine,18 paddlers power the craft - replete with a snarling dragon head on its bow and a reptilian tail on its stern - with rectangular paddles that they stroke to the sound of a drummer who is seated in the bow.
&#8220We started training for this year's races in the beginning of April and we're still training. We practice about three days a week for about an hour to an hour-and-a-half each day,” says racer Jeffrey Lee from team Extreme New York. &#8220I've been racing for about eight years. It keeps me in shape. I like racing because you develop new friendships and team unity. It's a bonding experience,” Lee added.
In addition to the Dragon Boat races, the festival features events for the entire family, such as special youth, charity, women's and sponsor races, a photo contest, raffles, the presentation of traditional Chinese arts, martial arts demonstrations, the traditional Dragon Dance, musical and diverse performances, and demonstrations of folk arts and crafts.
On the second day of festivities from noon to 1 p.m., Chef One will host the 3rd Annual &#8220Dumpling Eating Contest.” Challengers will compete for over $4,000 in prizes. Festival attendees will also be provided with many ethnic food courts and booths that are staffed by sponsors.
The opening day parade will be held at noon on Saturday, August 12 and will be followed by the New York City Championship Race. The U.S. Dragon Boat Open
Championship will start on Sunday, August 13. The racing begins at 9 a.m. and events will last until 5 p.m.
Admission is free and the events will take place rain or shine.