The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York is an annual sporting and multicultural event held in August on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York to celebrate the fifth moon (or the fifth month) of the lunar calendar. In addition to providing audiences with traditional Chinese foods and performances, the festival, now in its 17th year, hosts over 120 dragon boat teams from across North America, making it one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the United States. Depending on the competitive division, teams compete for cash prizes or airline tickets.
The festival is now an independent non-profit company organized under the laws of the State of New York and receives its funding through sponsorships by various companies. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office continues to be a substantial supporter of the festival.
In addition to the change in corporate structure, the festival's fleet of dragon boats has grown from 4 teak wood dragon boats to over 30 dragon boats. Many of the boats are made of fiberglass. All the boats are approved by the International Dragon Boat Federation for international dragon boat racing.
Location
Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NY
Admission
Free
Directions
By Car - Take the Long Island Expressway to Van Wyck Expressway south, exit at Exit 11, then stay on service road to the Park. There will be NO Parking in the usual Parking Lot unless a Parking Pass is Presented.
#7 to Willets Point/Shea Stadium - transfer to the special event bus.
E, F, R trains to Jackson Hts/Roosevelt Avenue - transfer to the Flushing bound #7 train to Willets Point/Shea Stadium.
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