What to Do at the HK Dragon Boat Festival
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York will be taking place on Saturday, August 7th from 9AM to 4PM at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. There will be performances, arts and crafts, and food stalls. Be sure to attend for a day of fun and enjoyment!
The Hong Kong Boat Festival celebrates an ancient Chinese legend about a poet named Qu Yuan. He was an advocate for progressive reforms, which the emperor at the time did not like. He was therefore banished, but remained so patriotic that when he heard news of his home being invaded by enemy forces, he drowned himself. The locals raced over in their boats to save him, but did not make it in time. They decided to throw zong zi, or rice and stuffing wrapped in tea leaves, into the river so that the fish would eat that instead of Qu Yuan’s body. This started the tradition of Dragon Boat Racing.
With the ability to check-in attendees, the event is free and open to the public, per proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
Photo by Dean Moses
At the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
The festivities will include musical and dance performances by the Shaolin Monks, NY Chinese Cultural Center, the Bruce Katz Band, and more. Instead of a food court, as in pre-pandemic years, the organizers have put together a selection of food trucks and stalls, including Bullhead, established by the father of Sha Cha (BBQ) sauce in Taiwan in 1958, Amoy, whose sauces and frozen dim sums are available at Asian supermarkets around the world, and Brooklyn Food & Beverage, which is providing small-batch, local beverages.
In the Area
Downtown Flushing has a plethora of Chinese restaurants, but this one offers a free drink if you check in on Yelp. They also offer the traditional zong zi that people eat on this holiday if you are not full from the Boat Festival. Try their star dish, the Peking duck, too.
Photo via Yelp
This mall has a variety of stores for people to buy jewelry, get their nails done, or even sing their hearts out at karaoke. Located on the third floor is one of the largest Chinese dim sum restaurants and banquet halls in the Tri-State areas with a capacity of hosting 1,500 patrons. It is located right on Main Street where the busiest part of Flushing is, so it will definitely be lively.
Eat at the Royal Queen dim sum restaurant and try their custard piggy buns.
Photo via Yelp
After the festival, taking a nice walk around the park and enjoying the scenery like the globe would be nice and relaxing. There is an aquatic center with a pool and ice rink to hang out in as well.
Photo via Time Out