THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Dragon Boat racing is based on a legend of the ancient patriot-poet Qu Yuan who lived from 340-278 BC. He was a Court Minister who advocated reforms for his home state of Chu. The King of Chu, however, disliked him for it and banished him from the state.
Today, rice dumplings are eaten on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, which is commemorated each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Four days before the festival begins, the dragon boats are taken from their resting places and their heads and tails attached. They are then ritually blessed by a Buddhist monk and later brought to life before the races by having their eyes dotted in red paint.
THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK
Saturday August 6 and Sunday August 7 2016
FLUSHING MEADOWS PARK  FREE ADMISSION  RAIN OR SHINE