SPRINGFIELD — The dragons are coming.
No, not the scary ones found in the popular summer movie “How To Train Your Dragon,” but dragon boats.
It’s all part of the 11th annual
Dragon Boat Festival
, to be held on Saturday, July 19, on the Connecticut River at North Riverfront Park on 121 West St. in Springfield.
Admission is free for spectators to watch the races between groups, companies, organizations and others from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first race begins at 9 a.m. and the last launches at 3 p.m. Races are short, only about a minute long, and each team races at least three times. Medals are awarded to top finishers.
“Racers come for the fun and some friendly competition,” said Ben Quick, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, organizers of the event in collaboration with the Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts.
A dragon boat, some measuring up to 40 feet long and weighing more than 800 pounds, is a canoe-like vessel with ornate dragon heads and tails used in an ancient Chinese water sport dating back some 2,000 years called dragon boat racing.
The boat holds an average of 20 paddlers along with a drummer and steerperson. The drummer, also referred to as the “caller,” is considered the “heartbeat” of the dragon boat and sits in the front, constantly pounding on the drum to help with the stroke timing of the paddlers. The steerperson, also called the “sweep,” steers the boat with a large oar from the rear.
For those who arrive early before the first race sets off at 9 a.m., at 8:45 a.m. they will be able to watch what is called the ancient Waking the Dragon ceremony, when the eyes on the dragon head are dotted with white paint to wake the dragon from slumber in order to race.
According to
dragonfestival.org
, the sport’s popularity has made it the fastest growing team water sport, with clubs and races in more than 60 countries.
The festival also has a connection to breast cancer survivors.
“The association with breast cancer survivors’ dates to the mid-1990s when Dr. Don McKenzie discovered the therapeutic benefits of paddle sports for women who have had breast cancer surgery. And the therapeutic benefits are not just physical, but emotional in being able to be among other supportive survivors,” Quick said, noting Baystate Health’s Rays of Hope sponsors their boat for breast cancer survivors called the Springfield Dragon Rays.
Kathy Wheeler, team manager of the Springfield Dragon Rays, has been participating in the sport for eight years. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she received treatment at Baystate Medical Center.
“It was while participating in the Rays of Hope Walk that I learned about dragon boat racing from other survivors. It has been an awesome experience, and we are all very supportive of one another. And it has been a good sport to strengthen my arms and core,” she said, noting this year she will serve as the boat’s drummer.
Quick noted they expect some 500 racers and another 250 spectators.
“They come for three reasons — to support a racer, to enjoy the fantastic entertainment, and for the spectacle of the event offers,” he said.
For those planning to stay for the day, the PVRC Grille and Thai Chili food truck beginning at 11 a.m. will provide sustenance. Then, at noon, during a break from all the action, there will be Asian-inspired entertainment provided by Mountain River Taiko Drummers, Chinese Kungfu Academy, and the Hong Tinh Duong Lion Dance Team.
Among some of the many teams racing their dragons will be the Instant Ramen Team, which is the name of the Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts Youth Team’s Dragon Boat, Springfield Pharmacy First Responders, who are the defending champions with a time of 58 seconds, STCC Intermural Rowing Team, Valkyrie Dragons of Rhode Island, Wolf Pack Dragon Boat Racing Team, Veterans Dragon Boat USA, Paradise City Dragon Boat Team from Northampton, Wellness Warriors, a breast cancer survivors team from Boston; and Hope Chest Breast Cancer Survivor Team from Buffalo.
The day comes to an end at 3 p.m. with the emotional cancer survivor flower ceremony, followed at 3:30 p.m. with a medal and awards ceremony.
According to the United States Dragon Boat Federation, the Flower Ceremony has become a “heartwarming tradition of dragon boat festivals where paddlers out on the water throw flowers into the water to embrace their sisterhood and to honor those who have died from breast cancer.”
Parking is limited and officials are asking spectators to consider alternate transportation to the event by carpooling or biking.
Festival proceeds benefit the
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club
to continue their efforts in connecting people with healthy riverfront activities.
There will be a 50/50 raffle to raise additional funds for the club. Drawing is at 2 p.m.
Quick added that for some extra summer fun, thanks to a grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the club will be offering free kayaking by providing paddles, life vests and kayak on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit
pvriverfront.org
or call 413-736-1322.
