Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and members of the Board of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival joined Buddhist monks Shi Fu Jie Tong and Shi Fu Ming Yu from the World Chan Buddhist Association, Chinese musicians, and Shaolin martial artists, who performed the Traditional Blessing and Awakening Ceremony of the Dragon Boats for the 2012 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Commissioner Benepe and several dignitaries also participated in a dragon boat race.
On this year of the dragon, The Dragon Boat Awakening Ceremony is the celebrated kickoff to the upcoming 21st annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The day will feature the unveiling and blessing of two dragon boats, as well as a demonstration race on the Lake and performances.
The Dragon Boat Festival is a free multi-cultural celebration and sporting event that will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.
Sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, NY, the action-packed event features races of long, sleek dragon boats that slice through the waters at breathtaking speed as paddles fly, drums beat wildly and spectators cheer from the shore. Activities include on-stage cultural performances, sponsor booths, arts & crafts, and an international food court. For a complete schedule and further details please visit www.hkdbf-ny.org.