2011 News

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

Details

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 09:42

Date: July 18, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media:  Kevin Wilkerson, (310) 545-8701
Event:  Mike Baker, (562) 434-2366      

15TH ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL TO
FEATURE INTERNATIONAL, COLLEGE TEAMS

More than 110 entries will churn up the waters of Marine Stadium Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, in the 15th Annual
Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival. Entries include teams from China, Canada, Macao, the U.S. Midwest and East Coast
and 25 collegiate teams – including the University of California, UCLA, USC, UC Irvine and UC San Diego --
from the International Collegiate Dragon Boat Federation.       
Each entry features 18-20 paddlers in brightly-decorated boats, with races – each of which is accompanied by the
beating of a traditional drum -  running from 9 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. each day.  Races include distances of
500 meters, 200 meters and a special 2,000 meter circle race, part of the Collegiate World Championships.
Admission is free for the weekend, which also includes traditional Chinese art and music, acrobats, Lion Dancing,
martial arts performances, educational booths and  ethnic cuisine.  For information, visit www.lbdragonboat.com,
or call (562) 434-2366.
A 2011 Long Beach Sea Festival event, the festival commemorates the life of ancient poet/patriot Qu Yuan (340-278 BC)
during the warring states period of China.
Sponsors of the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival include:  the International Culture Exchange Association;
China Airlines;  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C.; KNBC-TV; Pan Construction, Inc.; Panda Express; Pepsico Food Svc.;
PrimeNet and SeaPort Marina Hotel.