Thousands swarmed to Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park over the weekend for the 31st annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival — among them, the city’s top elected official.
Mayor Eric Adams often boasts about his time in the Police Department, during which he donned a bulletproof vest. On Saturday, hizzoner traded in the ballistic armor for a life jacket as he became the first mayor to participate in a boat race during the festival’s three-decade history.
“We are warmed up, we are prepared,” Adams told QNS as he slipped into his light blue cork jacket.
Helming the drumming position for his team, dubbed the City Hall Dragons, Adams faced off against other elected offices such as the Public Advocate’s office, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and longtime political rival New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.
The tension between Adams and Lander could be felt from the get-go as both teams zipped from the starting line, ferociously paddled through the water, looking to take home bragging rights. It was Lander’s team, however, who slightly edged into the lead and took the victory. Despite his disappointment at lagging behind, Adams championed the two-day extravaganza for its cultural celebration and significance.
“When you look at the celebratory spirit of the diversity of this borough, the food, the sound, the music, the odds to culture each year we want this Dragon Boat Festival to grow,” Adams said. “It’s more than just placing a boat in the water. It is how we stabilize this wonderful place we call New York City. This is the greatest city on the globe because we have the greatest people on the globe.”
In addition to races, the two-day affair also offered attendees a variety of eats, free gifts, and even musical and dance performances. Families also spent the day on picnic blankets overlooking the water.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards gushed over his borough and celebrated the diversity of the event and Queens itself.
“It is the most diverse place on the planet Earth. And we are always proud to come together on days like this,” Richard’s said. “It is so it is so great to see each and every one of you once again this year.”
