Dragon Boat racing began more than 2,000 years ago in ancient China, as a Summer Summer Solstice festival to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon, and ensure a good harvest, and a fertile year. The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival first appeared in Vancouver as a demonstration sport at Expo ’86, and in 1989 created the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival to show off Vancouver’s cultural diversity and to promote harmony among Canadians. 21 years later the festival continues to be one of Vancouver’s most anticipated summer events, with food vendors, booths from local sponsors, and children’s activities to keep festival-goers busy between races.
We walked down to the festival on Sunday afternoon to see what the hype was about. We found Cathay Air offering photos in front of a Great Wall of China backdrop, or downtown Hong Kong. Food stalls selling bubble tea and dim sum, face painting, a World Beats sound stage with local jam bands playing, and dozens of paddle-fanatics cheering on the Dragon Boat teams as they raced to victory… The over all feel of the festival was very upbeat and energetic, despite grey skies and a drizzle of rain putting a damper on Sunday afternoon’s vibe.
It was great to see some Festival life in Vancouver, and despite the poor weather Kate and I managed to have a great time chilling out to some Afro-Jamaican beats and enjoying a steamed BBQ pork bun while we cheered the “Guts or Glory” event of the two-day festival. All in all a great time, and a great way to celebrate Vancouver’s diverse heritage.
