Louisville Dragon Boat Festival

Take a trip to Asia this weekend....

Our team, Viet Speed, practicing on the river. Photo Source Courier Journal: Bryan Warren

A tradition thousands of years old is coming to Louisville for the first time! Dragon Boat Racing is a popular annual event in many Asian countries, bringing together villages in a festive environment of competition and celebration.   More than 20 teams, consisting of community groups, non-profits, and individuals, will be competing against each other on the scenic Ohio River this weekend.  Each team consists of 20 rowers, 1 steerer and 1 drummer.   You can expect to see a lot of team spirit and unique costumes. Some of the teams are using this opportunity to raise funds for their non-profits.

Co-sponsored by Crane House Asian Institute and Third Century, the Louisville Dragon Boat Festival is also a celebration of Asian Cultures.  The daylong celebration will be filled with cultural activities, arts and crafts, music, food vendors, and dancing.  Check below for a lis of events and activities.

Races will be going on all day.

source:www.louisvilledragonboat.com

 Come hungry, the following vendors will be there to feed your appetite:

• Small Bite Catering (Chinese-Zongzie)
• Charim (Korean)
• Mikado (Japanese and Korean)
• Banh Mi Hero (Vietnamese sandwiches)
• Cefiore Frozen Yogurt

There will be a lot of things to see and do, check out these neat activities:

• Henna (India), rangoli (ruchi), pottery, origami, Chinese opera mask, fabric design, lantern, good luck satchels, hackie sack (Korean and Chinese), calligraphy (Korean and Chinese), Mochisuki, traditional games, ping pong, Chinese painting, Chinese tea ceremony, Chinese jo-jo, etc. 

Location: Waterfront Park – Joe’s Crab Shack – 131 River Road (if you’re facing the river, the event will be to the right of Joe’s).
Date: Saturday, 9/13/2014
Time: 8 a.m.  – 5 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Parking: 1st and Witherspoon Garage, meter parking on the streets.  Or if you want free parking, park along River Road and the Park’s parking lots (you’ll just have to walk a little further, maybe bring a bike).

It'll be a beautiful cool and bright day on Saturday, so come and experience a little bit of Asia right in your own back yard.