There will be music, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, an ethnic food court, and more, all celebrating the Year of the Rat. Bring a chair and a sun-shading umbrella, and grab a prime space at the waterside pavilion on the north side (closest to Unisphere) of Meadow Lake. Last year the food vendors were overwhelmed by demand, so pack snacks.
- Dragon Boat Races, Meadow Lake, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- August 8 and 9, 2009, Races start at 9 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m., rain or shine
- Live music and other performances (free) from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, both days. See schedule at organizer's site.
- Organized by: Hong Kong Boat Festival in New York
- Directions to Flushing Meadows Corona-Park
What We Like - Dragon Boat Festival at Flushing Meadows
- The water! It's the only time of the year that Meadow Lake gets any respect.
- The warm welcome to an ethnic tradition. The audience for the Dragon Boat has grown beyond the ethnic Chinese community in nearby Flushing. Though I wouldn't call it a "multi-cultural" event, the festival does attract a wide variety of spectators -- and welcome as participants -- from outside the Asian community in Queens.
What We Don't Like - Dragon Boat Festival at Flushing Meadows
- It can be hard to follow the competition, especially for novice Dragon Boat spectators.
- The sun. August in Flushing Meadows can be brutal. There aren't many trees on the waterfront, and you'll need to wear a hat and wish you had an umbrella. Bring: hat, sunscreen, and water.
