2008 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: A Weekend Passport to Asia and the Pacific
About this festival
EXPLORE ASIA AND THE PACIFIC IN ONE WEEKEND AT THE
8th ANNUAL COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
JULY 26 – 27, 2008
Festival Selected to Host 2008 American Dragon Boat Association Competitive
Regional Races with International Racing Teams
Two days is hardly enough time to soak in the culture and flavor of the world’s most populous continent, but the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival comes close. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF), a free family-friendly festival highlighting Colorado’s rich Asian Pacific American heritage returns for its 8th year to Sloan’s Lake Park in northwest Denver July 26-27, 2008.
A window to the Pan Asian world, this diverse festival is the only one of its kind in the United States. It showcases an array of traditional and contemporary performing artists, cultural customs and cuisine from Asia and the Pacific, in addition to two days of competitive dragon boat racing.
Catch the Olympic Spirit
CDBF has also been selected to host the 2008 American Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) Competitive Regional Races. Considered the Olympics of dragon boat racing for the region, racers from throughout the nation will come to Colorado to compete for the ADBA title. National and international teams will participate in the competitive division races on a 500-meter course using BuK-style (Hong Kong) boats. The purchase of one of these boats was generously underwritten by Coors Brewing Company. CDBF and the Colorado Dragon Boat Association will actively recruit local paddlers to form competitive teams and further establish dragon boat racing as part of Colorado’s thriving recreational sports landscape. For more information, visit www.americandragonboat.com.
Ready, Set, Row!
This year’s fast-paced dragon boat racing competition will be bigger and better than ever with two full days of racing and openings for adult race teams and youth teams (13-17 years old). There are more race divisions this year including recreational corporate, mixed (men and women) and youth, in addition to the ADBA competitive mixed races. Two race locations will be used to accommodate both 250-meter recreational and 500-meter competitive races. Corporate and community teams will have the opportunity to compete on both days in colorful Taiwanese-style boats to catch the winning flag and take home a trophy. Free clinics and practice sessions will also be offered for anyone who wants to give the sport a try.
Take Home a Slice of Asia
Festival goers can shop until they drop at the Marketplace with its unique, one-of-a-kind arts, crafts and vendors more likely to be found in the open-air street markets of Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Bangkok or Bombay. Items available for purchase to liven up the living room or breakfast table might include Thai home accessories, Chinese calligraphy and Japanese pottery. Mouthwatering cuisine from all of Asia, such as Mongolian Buuz (Steamed Meat Dumplings) and Rellenong Manok (Filipino Stuffed Chicken) featured at past festivals, along with favorites like fried rice and beef satay, will surely tantalize the taste buds.
Sing and Dance to the Asian Beat
A Performing Arts Stage features both traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian-American performances by well-known local artists like singer-songwriter Wendy Woo. Artists from across the globe will also be invited to perform. Examples of past international performers include renowned Mongolian long song singer, Khongorzul Ganbaatar, and Mongolian Morin huur (horse-head fiddle) musician, B. Munkhtuvshin. A full line up of this year’s Performing Arts Stage roster is to be announced.
Passport for a Day
Explore Asia!, presented by SCFD, is a cultural village element that made its Festival debut last year. Like stepping in to another country, Explore Asia! is an intimate look into three distinct Asian Pacific communities. Exhibits, oral histories, cultural demonstrations and speakers, authentic cuisine and traditional performances by native-born singers offer the chance to experience these countries and cultures without ever leaving Colorado.
Open the Door to the Asian World
Follow the Gateway to Asia, presented by CH2M Hill, for an interactive and entertaining look at different Asian Pacific cultural ceremonies and rituals. Demonstrations and performances such as the Indonesian “Tujuh Bulanan” ceremony, the Hmong wedding ceremony, the Thai New Year celebration, the Hawaiian leis tradition, and the Filipino “Ati Atihan” ceremonies, will raise awareness of the beauty found in these distinctive cultures. Asian cultural ceremonies and rituals will capture and engage audiences, providing them with the unique essence of Asian spiritualities.
Fun for all Ages
Children and families can enjoy Dragonland, presented by State Farm, a special area that offers entertaining, hands-on educational activities. Kids of all ages have a chance to learn about the diverse cultures celebrated at the festival with crafts such as face painting, origami and calligraphy. A new youth-oriented Cultural Unity Stage, presented by Westwood College, will feature Hip-Hop and urban dance performances, along with contemporary martial arts and the spoken word.
“The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is about more than just racing; it’s an opportunity to experience the best of Pan Asian culture in just two days,” says CDBF Executive Director Alisa Zimmerman. “From Dragonland for the kids to stepping in to another culture with Explore Asia!, to fantastic food, music, art and just sitting on the shore to see people competing in the Dragon boats, there’s something for everyone. If you’ve never experienced Asia, or if you want to go back for the weekend, this is a great place to immerse yourself in these wondrous cultures.
Since its debut in 2001, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival has grown from 15,000 to a record 105,000 attendees in 2007 of various ages and origins. Visitors come from across the Front Range, the state and the country to participate in this annual summer event. This comes as no surprise given the growth in popularity, expansion and excitement of the 2,000-year-old Chinese sport known as dragon boat racing. The May 26, 2006 issue of Time magazine reported, “Last year…more than 75 dragon-boat festivals were held in 70 cities across the country, with participation up 20 percent over 2004.”
New This Year:
- CDBF has been chosen to host the 2008 American Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) Regional Races www.americandragonboat.com. Considered the regional Olympics for the sport, national and international teams will compete in division races on a 500-meter course.
- New race divisions are available, including competitive mixed and recreational mixed, corporate and youth. Two race locations will be used this year to support 250-meter and 500-meter courses.
- The first-ever 2008 Commemorative Poster contest offers cash awards to the top three winners and the opportunity to be included in festival merchandise and marketing materials.
- Relocating to the east side of the park where the festival debuted allows more open space and accommodates two days of races in one location.
- Expanded cultural programs, a larger beer garden situated along the lake shore, more Asian vendors and more fine cuisine will be offered.
- Greening the Dragon, a new recycling program and educational booth will be on site as well as free shuttle service to and from Invesco Field at Mile High and the Light Rail station.
- The Closing Ceremony on Sunday evening will include both dragon boat team awards and, for the first time, a free outdoor concert presented by the Denver Municipal Band, the oldest professional concert band in the United States.
Festival Facts:
What: 8th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, a family-friendly celebration of Colorado’s rich Asian Pacific American heritage
When: Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days
Where: Sloan’s Lake Park (East Side - Original Location) – Sheridan Blvd./25th Ave., northwest Denver
Cost: FREE Admission, FREE Parking at Invesco Field, FREE Shuttle to Sloan’s Lake