Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival celebrates a decade of tradition
Dragons will roar and lions will dance once again as the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Dragon Boat Race Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8:30 to 5 p.m. The free event will take place at Mayor Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park and the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson and the village’s inner harbor.
The festival is the brainchild of Barbara Ransome, Director of Operations at the chamber, who attended a dragon boat race festival in Cape May, New Jersey, several years ago.
Opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. will include a Asian color guard, the blessing of the ‘fleet’ with the traditional “Eye Dotting” ceremony to awaken the dragon led by Buddhist monks. Attendees will include VIPs and elected officials.
With dragon boats and equipment provided by Great White North, the main attraction will feature three racing heats to include 20 teams competing in a 250 meter, 3 lane racing course. Each team is made up of 20 paddlers, one steersman and one drummer. The first race begins at 9 a.m. Spectators can easily view the race course from the park’s edge.
Medals will be awarded in three divisions at an awards ceremony at the end of the day.
Sponsored by Taiko Tides, there will also be team contests for the best team T-shirt, best drumming performance and best costumed drummer.
All race teams will have their own “encampment” along Harborfront Park as they are queuing up for their races.
In addition to the races, there will be a day-long festival featuring numerous performances including the famous Lion Dance, Taiko and Korean Drum performances, Asian singing and dancing. Over 20 cultural and educational vendors and retailers will be on hand along with assorted food vendors including Naked Burger, The Poutinerie, Tea Brew (bubble tea and snacks), and Fern & Aurora (desserts with a Filipino flare).
This year is very exciting as it is the Year of the Dragon and the festivals’ 10th year. To help celebrate this special occasion there will be some new activities that will include Land Dragon Races, a dancing dragon and a 9-foot one dimensional steel fabricated fire breathing dragon! Visit the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce table to take part in a dragon-themed basket raffle and join a Paint a Dragon class with Muse Paintbar (fee) on the first floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center from 2 to 3 p.m.
There will be also be crafts and activities for children and tug-a-war competitions.
Event sponsors include the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society; Sea Tow; Flushing Bank; Long Island Waste Services; ServPro of Port Jefferson; The Waterview; Danfords Hotel, Marina and Spa; The Gitto Group; The Northwind Group; The East End Shirt Company; M& T Bank; Nestle Health Science; TBR News Media; Island Federal Credit Union; New York Cancer & Blood Specialists and Kiddsmiles.
The event will be held rain or shine with free admission. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come enjoy the festivities! 631-473-1414, portjeffdragonracefest.com
