Events begin Saturday on land at 10 a.m. with lion dancers to open the festival. A parade will follow at 11:30 a.m., featuring the dancers, dignitaries and the race teams.
Races on Saturday will determine the city championships while Sunday’s heats will decide the overall winners in all divisions. Race distances are 250, 500 and 1,000 meters. There are many Queens-based teams participating, including ones from Congressman Gary Ackerman’s office, Councilman John Liu’s office, Flushing restaurant East Buffet, New York Hospital Queens and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
The teak boats used in the races are custom made in Hong Kong. Each one weighs a ton and is designed with a dragon head at the front and tail at the rear. A crew of 20 mans each boat, including a drummer to keep the beat and a steerer to guide the way.
The festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a respected leader who was besmirched in ancient times and is said to have committed suicide by drowning in a river. Nearby fishermen tried to save him but they failed and his body was never found. The races symbolize the rescue attempts.
Saturday’s performers include a brass ensemble from the Queens Symphony Orchestra, Lyrus Hung and her band Meow, martial arts by members of the Shaolin Temple and Jack Hsu and his band Hsu-Nami.
On Sunday, the musical entertainers include the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, Cover-to-Cover, Edge, Abdou Mboup, presenting African music, Luca Mundaca, DJ Johnathan and Hong Kong musician Simon Yu. The martial arts demonstration will repeat on Sunday.
In addition, there will be an arts and crafts tent with 20 artists demonstrating traditional Chinese crafts including calligraphy, rice doll making, kite making, ribbon flowers and paper cutting. Children will be able to participate.
Festival organizers ask visitors to take public transportation to Flushing Meadows as there is no parking around the lake. Parking for a fee is available at Citi Field. A shuttle bus to the racing area will be available outside the subway station at Citi Field. Normal transit fees will be charged.
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