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19th Annual Dragon Boat Festival draws 50,000 in New York
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| Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Monica Chen (far left) and Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York Dong Xiaojun (center) took part in the eye-dotting ceremony during the opening ceremony of the 19th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York. Also pictured is Chairman of the Host Committee of the 2009 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York Henry Wan (far right).
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| Brand Hong Kong visual identity was highly visible at the 19th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York.
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| Visitors to the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York tried their luck at winning an array of Brand Hong Kong souvenirs.
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| The Brand Hong Kong temporary tattoos, featuring the Brand Hong Kong dragon, the pink dolphin, the Bauhinia orchid and panda were popular with adults and children alike at the festival. |
A total of 151 North American dragon boat racing teams competed at the 19th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York held August 8-9. The event, which was first introduced to New Yorkers in 1991 by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), features prominently in New York City’s summer calendar.
Director of HKETONY Monica Chen was a guest of honor at the festival.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Ms. Chen noted the festival attracts a diverse group of participants and spectators from all across the United States, epitomizing New York City as the melting pot of the world.
“We were honored earlier this week to be invited for a return visit to the Nasdaq Stock Market for the Closing Bell ceremony. This is a strong affirmation of the prominence of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Market as a multi-faceted festival for all New Yorkers and Americans,” said Ms. Chen.
“Just like New York, Hong Kong, too, is a global city of arts, culture and sports — attracting people from all continents with its diverse offerings,” said Ms. Chen. “Top rugby teams and rugby enthusiasts from all around the globe descend onto Hong Kong in March for the annual Hong Kong Sevens international rugby tournament. Similarly, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Regatta also attracts the best teams, both locally and overseas, to compete in the exciting dragon boat races yearly.”
Noting that Hong Kong successfully hosted the Equestrian Events of the 2008 Olympic Games last year, Ms. Chen said Hong Kong will host a regional sporting event — the 2009 East Asian Games — in December, where more than 3,000 athletes will vie for 262 medals in 22 sports.
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, one of the largest multi-cultural and sporting festivals in the United States, attracted more than 50,000 spectators over the two-day period at Meadows Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York.
HKETONY fielded two teams at this year’s festival and gave away Brand Hong Kong souvenirs to those attending the festival.
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