Months of training and team-building culminate this weekend at the 26th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Over the course of two days, more than 180 teams are competing in a test of athleticism and communication as part of a festival honoring Asian culture.
“You feel that team vibe when we’re all together on the boat and the drummers are drumming and we’re all in sync,” said Nirvana McDonald, who’s participating in the event for the first time this year. “You can’t describe it; you’ve just got to feel it.”
Participants enter colorful boats and paddle to the beat of a drum in an adrenaline-racing competition.
The festival started more than 30 years ago as a way to foster the relationship between Hong Kong and New York. Since that time, it has grown into one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the country, known to both professional and amateur competitors alike.
“We started in 1991 with only 10 teams, and this year we have over 180 teams,” said Henry Wan, a founder of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. “We’re excited to have seen the event grow from a small, tiny event into a major festival in New York City.”
The sport of dragon boat racing has been around for nearly 2,000 years. Organizers said it has become one of the fastest-growing team watersports in the world.
Hitting the water isn’t required in order to enjoy the festival. There’s live music, food and games available on location.
The event is free and is taking place rain or shine.