Flushing Meadows-Corona Park celebrated its 24^th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival this past weekend on August 9^th and 10^th. From its first competition, the race has been a great success with attendees and has quickly become a summer tradition in Flushing. Much to the delight of annual participants, the festival has been growing larger each year.

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The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was originally designed to celebrate the fifth moon of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The tradition of dragon boat racing dates back to the ancient Chinese legend of the patriotic poet, Qu Yuan, who drowned in the Ni Lo River. The actual act of racing is a representation of Qu Yuan's fishermen neighbors who raced in their boats to attempt to save him from drowning.

To honor the death of Qu Yuan, the dragon boats are blessed by a Buddhist monk before they enter the water. Rice dumplings are served during the dragon boat races to commemorate the offerings the fishermen threw into the water upon the discovery of Qu Yuan's body.

Though small, these offerings were given to honor Qu Yuan as a hero.

Now, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is known as an event that celebrates multiculturalism, diversity, and tradition in the Flushing (and Queens) communities.

Despite its massive growth over the years, many traditions remain the same during the festival. One of the main traditions is the dragon boats themselves; several colorful teak boats are crafted overseas for competitors to race in.

The festival now boasts over 30 unique (and beautiful) dragon boats have been constructed for the competition.

This year, over 188 teams from all over North America competed against each other in the two-day race-including the N.Y. Championship Race on Saturday and the U.S. Dragon Boat Open Championship Race on Sunday. Several businesses that partook in the races included a great number of big name companies--Verizon, JP Morgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs, to name a few.

To celebrate the official start of this summer's Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, the Lions and Dragon Dancing Teams with Percussionists gave a welcoming performance to guests and competitors. In addition to the dragon boats, mouth-watering Chinese dishes were served, and many guests were able to enjoy a vivid variety of Chinese performances - including live music, dancing, and martial arts.

Some of the most exciting acts to perform included Kung Fu done by the Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks, music played by the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, and a talented performance given by Mawuena Kodjovi West African melodies and dances.

Over 2,000 people were in attendance to help celebrate both tradition and diversity.

Though the dragon boats have only just been taken off the water, official festival organizers are already planning for the excitement of next year's Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - and it will be even bigger than the last.

TagsHong Kong, Flushing, queens, verizon, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman sachs, Lunar calendar, dragon boat racing, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Qu Yuan, Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks, Chinese Music Ensemble of New York