Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival

Intense competition at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival is a yearly event that attracts 5500 paddlers and over 70,000 spectators in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Historically, it is part of a Chinese tradition dating back almost 2400 years. It began as a rite in the banks of southern China to guarantee abundant crops. In early times, the races were held on the 5th day of the lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The dragon is symbolic of the object of worship during this time.

The day the races are held is also known as Poet's Day, which commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a minister and poet during the Zhou Dynasty. The race is a part of a historical re-enactment to save Yuan from the river.

Since its inception in 1993, thousands of participants have gathered at Mooney's Bay Park on Riverside Drive in Ottawa to race. Admission to the races is free.

In 1998 the "Pledge Challenge" was added as a charitable component. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation was founded in 2004 to help efforts with fundraising for local charities. To date the Challenge has raised over $2.1 million.

Mooneys Bay during the 2006 edition of the race

In 2006, the Dragon Boat Race Festival was partnered with the RA Photo Club.

Taking place on June 19–21 in 2009, the event marked the 16th annual Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival. The festival includes the competition of dragon boat races, multicultural performances, a children's activity area, a variety of concessionaires and exhibitors representing cross-cultural communities, a silent auction and beer gardens. This year the festival focused on the Asian culture by including a Chinese Food and Wine Tasting event, Asian cultural dances, a commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Project 4000, and greater involvement of the Somerset Chinatown Business Improvement Area, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Federation of Chinese Community Organizations.

Teams preparing for a race at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival

In 2010, Tim Hortons came on board as a title sponsor. The 2011 edition of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place June 17–19, 2011. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation's fundraising goal was to raise $350,000 for local charities.

The event is held in Mooney's Bay, where the Rideau River and Rideau Canal split. Many of the Ottawa-based boats train at Mooney's Bay out of the Rideau Canoe Club.

External links

• Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival