Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival
Encyclopedia
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival is a yearly event that attracts 5500 paddlers and over 70,000 spectators in Ottawa
, Ontario
, Canada
.
Historically, it is part of a Chinese
tradition dating back almost 2400 years. It began as a rite in the banks of southern China to guarantee abundant crops. In early times, the races were held on the 5th day of the lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The dragon
is symbolic of the object of worship during this time.
The day the races are held is also known as Poet's Day, which commemorates the death of Qu Yuan
, a minister and poet during the Zhou Dynasty
. The race is a part of a historical re-enactment to save Yuan from the river.
Since its inception in 1993, thousands of participants have gathered at Mooney's Bay Park
on Riverside Drive
in Ottawa
to race. Admission to the races is free.
In 1998 the "Pledge Challenge" was added as a charitable component. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation was founded in 2004 to help efforts with fundraising for local charities. To date the Challenge has raised over $2.1 million.
In 2006, the Dragon Boat Race Festival was partnered with the RA Photo Club
.
Taking place on June 19–21 in 2009, the event marked the 16th annual Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival. The festival includes the competition of dragon boat races, multicultural performances, a children's activity area, a variety of concessionaires and exhibitors representing cross-cultural communities, a silent auction and beer garden
s. This year the festival focused on the Asian culture by including a Chinese Food and Wine Tasting event, Asian cultural dances, a commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Project 4000, and greater involvement of the Somerset Chinatown
Business Improvement Area, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Federation of Chinese Community Organizations.
In 2010, Tim Hortons came on board as a title sponsor. The 2011 edition of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place June 17–19, 2011. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation's fundraising goal was to raise $350,000 for local charities.
The event is held in Mooney's Bay, where the Rideau River
and Rideau Canal
split. Many of the Ottawa-based boats train at Mooney's Bay out of the Rideau Canoe Club
.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Historically, it is part of a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
tradition dating back almost 2400 years. It began as a rite in the banks of southern China to guarantee abundant crops. In early times, the races were held on the 5th day of the lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
is symbolic of the object of worship during this time.
The day the races are held is also known as Poet's Day, which commemorates the death of Qu Yuan
Qu Yuan
Qu Yuan was a Chinese poet who lived during the Warring States Period in ancient China. He is famous for his contributions to the poetry collection known as the Chu-ci...
, a minister and poet during the Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
. The race is a part of a historical re-enactment to save Yuan from the river.
Since its inception in 1993, thousands of participants have gathered at Mooney's Bay Park
Mooney's Bay Park
Mooney's Bay Park is a public park in Ottawa, Canada on the Rideau River. Its main entrance is on Riverside Drive, opposite Ridgewood Avenue, but can also be accessed from Hog's Back Road. It has a beach, picnic areas, a childrens playground and is the site of the Terry Fox Stadium...
on Riverside Drive
Riverside Drive (Ottawa)
Riverside Drive is a major road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada that follows along the eastern bank of the Rideau River. From its northern terminus at the Transitway/Via Rail underpass just south of the Queensway, the road proceeds south to Limebank Road where it continues as River Road until the city...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
to race. Admission to the races is free.
In 1998 the "Pledge Challenge" was added as a charitable component. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation was founded in 2004 to help efforts with fundraising for local charities. To date the Challenge has raised over $2.1 million.
In 2006, the Dragon Boat Race Festival was partnered with the RA Photo Club
RA Photo Club
The RA Photo Club is located in Ottawa, and is the city's largest photo club, with over 300 members. It meets weekly at its location in the RA Centre from September to May, hosting speakers and monthly competitions. The RA Photo Club has many special interest groups, including Nature, Audio-Visual,...
.
Taking place on June 19–21 in 2009, the event marked the 16th annual Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival. The festival includes the competition of dragon boat races, multicultural performances, a children's activity area, a variety of concessionaires and exhibitors representing cross-cultural communities, a silent auction and beer garden
Beer garden
Beer garden is an open-air area where beer, other drinks and local food are served. The concept originates from and is most common in Southern Germany...
s. This year the festival focused on the Asian culture by including a Chinese Food and Wine Tasting event, Asian cultural dances, a commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Project 4000, and greater involvement of the Somerset Chinatown
Chinatown, Ottawa
Ottawa's Chinatown is located along Somerset Street in downtown Ottawa. It runs from Bay Street in the east to Rochester St in the west...
Business Improvement Area, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Federation of Chinese Community Organizations.
In 2010, Tim Hortons came on board as a title sponsor. The 2011 edition of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place June 17–19, 2011. The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation's fundraising goal was to raise $350,000 for local charities.
The event is held in Mooney's Bay, where the Rideau River
Rideau River
thumb|Rapids on the Rideau River opposite [[Carleton University]].The Rideau River is a Southern Ontario river which flows north from Upper Rideau Lake and empties into the Ottawa River at Rideau Falls in Ottawa, Ontario. Its length is 146 km...
and Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal , also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario. The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States and is still in use today, with most of its...
split. Many of the Ottawa-based boats train at Mooney's Bay out of the Rideau Canoe Club
Rideau Canoe Club
The Rideau Canoe Club is a canoe club located on the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The club is located at Mooney's Bay, where the Rideau Canal splits away from the river prior to joining up with the Ottawa River....
.