Dragon Boat Festival is bigger than ever

BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

ere’s nothing like reaching a major goal after years of work. is is a concept the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is very aware of — not only has it grown by leaps and bounds in its more than two decades of existence, but it achieved a major milestone this year.

“ is year we were able to purchase a eet of new boats – Hong Kong-style BuK Dragon Boats,” said Sara Moore, executive director of Colorado Dragon Boat. “Getting these boats is 23 years in the making and we’re so excited to have them.”

Dragon boat racing is just one thing visitors can explore at this year’s annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, which will be held at Sloan’s Lake, 25th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevardin

Denver, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. is year’s free festival is bigger than ever, which re ects the growing interest from members of the Asian American Native Hawaiian Paci c Islander (AANHPI) community and those who want to learn about and celebrate the vibrant cultures represented at the event. Last year’s festival drew in more than 170,000 people, according to Moore, and this year is on track to match or exceed that number.

“We’re becoming more inclusive and working with the community to make sure everyone’s voices are heard,” she added. “We see a huge thirst and desire for Coloradoans to come out and support these organizations.” e nonpro t organization puts hours and hours of work into the festival, which also doubles as a crucial fundraiser for Colorado Dragon Boat. All the festival’s beverage centers are run by local nonpro ts that also use the event as a fundraiser, so every dollar spent on a beverage is split between the nonpro t sponsor and Colorado Dragon Boat.

“We have great volunteers and sponsors who make the festival possible,” Moore said. “It is inspiring and empowering to see the community respond in such a needed way.”

In addition to the titular racing, visitors have a bevy of options for exploring. ere’s the Asian Marketplace and Asian Craft Tent, both of which feature unique gifts and artworks. And speaking of art, the festival features three performance stages, where a range of performers will share traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian-American instrumental, vocal, choral and dance performances.