What is the festival celebrating and why is it important?
We have now been one of Vancouver’s premier summer events for 26 years! The event began as a way to show off Vancouver’s multicultural side. It was a demonstration sport during Expo ’86 – organized by the Chinese Cultural Centre (CCC) using six beautiful teak dragon boats sent over from Hong Kong.
We continue to celebrate diversity by encouraging people of any ability or background to take part! We have teams made up of paddlers of all ages and abilities. As we say, you don’t have to be a super athlete to be on a dragon boat team. There is no MVP on one of these crews – everyone’s participation is key!
How does holding the festival in Vancouver contribute to its atmosphere? How is the community engagement?
Ask almost anyone in the city and they know a paddler, have been to the event or watched the practices. The dragon boat festival is a real fixture in the city now.
As a free event to kick off summer (we always hold it near the solstice as was done in Ancient China[1]),
For many paddlers (and we have over 5000 taking part on festival weekend!) it’s their social life and exercise. I have it on good authority that several marriages have resulted from friendships begun on a dragon boat
How can the general public get involved?
The Rio Tinto Alcan dragon boat festival is a free event. This year it kicks off on Friday, June 20th with the traditional blessing ceremony in which Taoist priests “dot the eyes” of the dragons on the boats and cleanse the race course to ensure swift and safe races. The public is invited to watch the race and then take in the free live music on the stage. Eye-dotting is on the dock south of the Science World Dome and free concerts are located in the Olympic Plaza nearby.
The festival then kicks off at Creekside Community Centre the next morning from 10 am ‘til 6 pm then again with the same hours on Sunday. There will be food booths, races, more live music, sponsor tents, tea-tasting and great people-watching!
What is your favourite aspect of the festival?
After all these years, I just love seeing my “festival friends” again each year and being part of the positive vibe on site. It’s really a great, relaxed way to connect with others in the city – people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. I really encourage anyone who hasn’t come down to pay us a visit this year.
For more information on the history, schedule, events, and location of the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, see their website.