Dragon Boat Festival Denver

Celebrated globally, the Dragon Boat Festival Denver is a colorful and culturally diverse festival. It has grown to be a beloved Denver tradition that unites people from all walks of life for a weekend filled with racing, cultural events, and delicious food. But what is it about this celebration that is so unique? Let us get started and learn everything there is to know about Denver’s Dragon Boat Festival.

History of the Dragon Boat Festival

More than 2,000 years ago, in China, the Dragon Boat Festival—also called the Duanwu Festival—was first held. It honors the life and demise of eminent Chinese scholar Qu Yuan, who committed suicide in defiance of corrupt government officials. To keep the fish away from his body, the locals threw rice dumplings into the sea while they hurried out in their boats to save him. This historical occurrence became into a celebration that featured dragon boat races and zongzi (rice dumplings) consumption.

Chinese communities spread throughout the globe, bringing their customs with them. Since then, the Dragon Boat Festival has expanded throughout the world, becoming more well-known in places like Vancouver, Sydney, and, of course, Denver. Denver’s celebration started out as a little neighborhood gathering and has developed into a large extravaganza that draws thousands of visitors.

THE COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

THE COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL!
The LARGEST Dragon Boat Festival in the US.

Why do people do dragon boat?

Superstitious Chinese villagers commemorated the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in the Chinese calendar as the first participants in the event. Dragon boat races were held in an effort to ward off bad luck and promote prosperous rains. The moniker “dragon boat racing” comes from the fact that the Dragon Boat Festival Denver was their primary object of veneration.

Who powers the world’s longest dragon boat?

This dragon boat can accommodate 179 oarsmen and is propelled by humans. The boat is 193 cm (6 feet 4 inches) wide and 83 cm (2 feet 8 inches) deep at its midpoint.

What is Duan Wu Jie in English?

Context. Another name for the Dragon Boat Festival Denver, Duan Wu Jie, is Duan Yang, which translates to “Upright Sun” or “Double Fifth.” The celebration, also known as the Fifth Month celebration among the Chinese, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month around the summer solstice.

What is the legend of the Dragon Boat Festival?

According to the legend, when news of his drowning became known, boats were launched by the local fishermen in a race to be first to recover Qu Yuan’s body. Thus Dragon Boat Festival Denver boat racing was born.

Do you wear shoes in dragon boat?

Wearing footwear is necessary for safety; old sneakers, boat shoes, or sandals work best; do not wear bare feet, thongs, flip flops, or sandals. Behavior on Boats: DBACT follows the Safety Manual of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation. It is not permitted to drink alcohol prior to or during a session.

History of the Dragon Boat Festival

More than 2,000 years ago, in China, the Dragon Boat Festival—also called the Duanwu Festival—was first held. It honors the life and demise of eminent Chinese scholar Qu Yuan, who committed suicide in defiance of corrupt government officials. To keep the fish away from his body, the locals threw rice dumplings into the sea while they hurried out in their boats to save him. This historical occurrence became into a celebration that featured dragon boat races and zongzi (rice dumplings) consumption.

Chinese populations expanded globally, bringing their customs with them. With its global expansion, the Dragon Boat Festival Denver has become increasingly well-known in places like Vancouver, Sydney, and, of course, Denver. The celebration in Denver started out as a little neighborhood get-together and has expanded into a large festival with thousands of attendees.

Traditional Foods

Zongzi (Rice Dumplings)

Zongzi are glutinous rice dumplings in the shape of pyramids that are filled with a variety of ingredients such nuts, beans, and pork and wrapped in bamboo leaves. They are a popular attraction during the Dragon Boat Festival and an integral part of the celebration.

Popular Local Adaptations

Dragon Boat Festival Denver diverse culinary landscape is reflected in the festival’s fusion cuisine and local versions of traditional fare. There is food to suit every appetite, including sushi burritos and tacos flavored with Korean barbecue.