If you are planning to attend, check the website for parking options. There is NO parking at the event site. There are three park and rides. The shuttles run every 15 mins.
The food is phenomenal, there is shopping and lots of exhibitions. (dancing, drumming, martial arts)
The history of dragonboat racing dates back 2400 years to China. It originated as a day to commemorate the death of Wat Yuen (Qu Yuan) a poet, minister and counselor to the emperor during the Chu dynasty. Wat saw the corruption within the government but could not get the emperor to bring about changes. Tired of his protests the emperor dismissed him. Despondent he wrote one of his most beautiful poems and then threw himself in the river to express his despair and sorrow. Local fishermen races to the tragic scene in their boats, splashing water with their oars in an effort to scare away the fish. They also dropped rice dumplings in the river as a way to distract the fish so they would not eat Wat's body.
Our first race is against the Taiwanese Association of MN at 10:30 and our second race is against our big rival, Cliffs Still Not Paddling at 2:30.
This is our fourth year. We have placed every year. 4th, 3rd and 3rd. We are talking big this year about 1st or 2nd. We also hope to win the Tshirt competition. If you would like to buy a FCC dragon boat tshirt to wear as you cheer us on you can order one here and pick it up at the FCC tent at the festival.
2 comments:
Ooh, that sounds like so much fun. Wish we could come cheer you on! Looking forward to pictures.
Good luck!
Kevin
PS Saw your post on missing the JOH picnic. Bummer! I'll be sure to take lots of pics.
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