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The Brief History of Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On this day the Chinese people eat rice dumplings and go watch the Dragon boat races.
The Dragon Boat Festival is dedicated to the great poet Qu Yuan (343-290 B.C.). Qu yuan was a minister of the state of Ch'u. He loved his country very much and wanted to make it strong. But the King of Ch'u believed the words of his treacherous advisors and rejected Qu Yuan's plan for making the country rich and strong. Qu Yuan was so disappointed that he committed suicide by drowning himself in the Milo River.
Upon learning of Qu Yuan's suicide, the people rushed to row their boats in search of his body. Accordingly, the Chinese people commemorated this day as the Dragon-Boat Festival. Originally the boats had a very simple appearance, but later on people added dragon decorations to the boats for this occasion.
In memory of Qu Yuan, the people put rice inside of bamboo stalks and threw them into the river as an offering. Later on, to express their admiration and respect for the great Qu Yuan, the Chinese people also designated this day as Poet's Day.
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| About Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival |
In Kansas City, the Dragon Boat Festival carries a new meaning: International cooperation, friendship, and the development of trade for Kansas City, Mexico and China. Our Dragon Boats are gifts from China to "The Society for Friendship for Friendship with China" of Kansas City, Missouri. They became the first shipment and thereby opening a trade route from Shanghai China to the port of Lazaros Cardenas, Mexico and then by TMF/Kansas City Southern Railway to Kansas City, Missouri.
The Society for Friendship for Friendship with China and the Kansas City-Xi'an Sister City Committee would like to designate this festival as the "Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival" and celebrate it every year on the second Saturday of June to enhance Kansas City's culture diversity. Below are reviews of past years of KC Dragon Boat Festival. |
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The 5th Annual Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival
The 5th annual Kansas City Dragon boat Festival was held on Saturday, June 13, 2009. As before, the festival was held at the southeast corner of the County Club Plaza. We started in the morning with activities for children and Chinese entertainment. Dragon Boat racing occured in the afternoon. This year’s schedule was as follows:
- 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Wishes for sale $5 each
- 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Children’s Activities
- 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Food Sales & Booths Open
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Cultural Performances
- 1:00 p.m. - Wake the Dragons Ceremony (including the official delegation from Xian, China)
- 1:15 p.m. - Dragon Boat Races (usually lasts about two hours)
- 9:00 p.m. - Launching Wishing Lanterns
Sponsors in 2009
- The Society for Friendship with China, Inc.
- Kansas City Parks and Recreation
- DST Systems, Inc.
- Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
- Kansas City-Xi’an Sister City Committee
- Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club
- KCCA
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Paper Dragon Boat
Made by Jinsong Zhang
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2008 Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival
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On July 26, 2008, the 4th Annual Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival was completed and successful, except the cancling of Dragon Boat Race due to the weather. Kids Dragon Boat Racing was a very good addition to the kids activities this year.
Below are some pictures from that day. Please click on image for a larger view. Also, click here if you like to see more pictures taken by Mike Alvarado.
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2005 Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival
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Hosted by The Society for Friendship with China, Inc., the 1st Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 11th, 2005 at the Cafe Corner of Countryside Plaza. Although Dragon Race couldn't be started as planed on that day because of the thounder storm, all other related activities such as Cultural Stage Performances, Dragon Dance and Lion Dance were successfully held after raining. Over 700 people joined the festival.
Organized by KCCNA (Kansas City Chinese Network Association, which now is named KCCA), Cultural Stage Performances included Chinese folk dance, Chinese music and songs, Martial arts and Chinese traditional costume show etc. Wonderful performances won the prolonged applause from audience. Special festival food - Zhongzi and other chinese food were provided during the festival, and Zhongzi was very welcome.
Dragon Race was made up on July 16th, 2005. Total three teams joined the race, and The Plaza Rotary won the first place.
Starting this year, Dragon Boat Festival will be held on the second weekend in June annually, as an official festival reserved for KC people.
Click on the image for a larger view.
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Dragon Dance |
Lion Dance
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Chinese Xinjiang Dance
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Chinese Folk Dance |
Chinese Martial Arts |
Chinese Folk Dance |
Dragon Boat Race
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2005 KC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL SPONSORS
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Kansas City Chinese Network Association
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Kansas City Parks and Recreation
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Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club
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Missouri Arts Council
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