Dragon
Boat Race Team Registrations Being Accepted
Plenty
of Time to Join the Fun!
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC)
is still accepting registrations for the 8th Annual Rhode Island Chinese
Dragon Boat Races, being held Saturday, September 8, in Pawtucket, RI
from 9 am to 5 pm.
Events occur on the Pawtucket River,
along the School Street Pier, located off Route 114, Pawtucket, RI.
Tourism Council president Bob
Billington says, “There is still room for more teams to register and
join the fun.”
The use of dragon boats for racing is
believed to have originated in southern central China more than 2,500
years ago along the banks of the Yangtze River. Dragon Boat racing as
the basis for annual water rituals and festival celebrations has been
practiced continuously since this period.
In Pawtucket, the Dragon Boat Races are
part of the Taiwan Day Festival celebrating the Chinese community in
conjunction with the Pawtucket Arts Festival.
Making the 2007 races even more fun for
participants and spectators, teams will demonstrate balance and agility
with a flag catching. The flag catcher is tasked with grabbing a flag at
the finish line of the race.
We supply the Dragon Boats, paddles,
drum, t-shirts, hats, practice time, personal flotation devices, special
awards ceremony and the fun! You supply the paddle power. A great way to
support teambuilding!
Businesses and others are welcomed to
participate by forming a team consisting 22 or 23 participants that
include 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersperson. The drummer can also
act as flag catcher or an additional person may be added as flag
catcher.
The race committee has also contracted
with 22 Dragons of Montréal, Canada to provide timing and race
management services. 22 Dragons has extensive experience running dragon
boat races, ranging from local events to major competitions.
New this year, winners in all three
divisions will each receive a $1,000 prize.
Food and arts and crafts vendors are
also needed for the Festival on the pier site for this exciting
community-wide event.
For more information contact the
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket at 401-724-2200 or visit
our website
www.dragonboatri.com
Blackstone Valley Visitor
Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860