Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, Annual dragon boat racing festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York, United States.
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York is an annual water racing festival held in August at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York City. Over 180 teams compete across two days on Meadow Lake, making it one of the largest such gatherings on the East Coast.
The festival was founded in 1990 when the Hong Kong Tourism Board donated traditional teak wood boats to the city, and the first races took place on the Hudson River. It later moved to its current location at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.
The boats used in the races are decorated with painted dragon heads and tails, following a tradition that comes from southern China. Spectators from many different communities line the shore of Meadow Lake to cheer on the teams.
The festival grounds are reachable by taking the 7 subway line to Mets-Willets Point station, where free MTA shuttle buses connect to the park. Arriving early in the day is a good idea, as races run throughout both days and the lakeside viewing areas fill up quickly.
The original 4 teak wood boats donated in 1990 have grown into a fleet of 30 boats that meet international racing standards, and these boats are stored in the park year-round rather than being brought in for the event. This means the festival relies on a permanent local infrastructure that has been built up over decades.
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