Milestones for New York
Hong Kong dragon boat festival

Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Monica Chen congratulates the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York on its 20th anniversary.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York launched a high-profile social and media campaign April 15 to kick start its 20th anniversary celebration.

Started in 1991, the festival has become a fixture on New York City’s summer social calendar. Through the years, the event “has grown from strength to strength, with initially only 10 teams participating; last year, there were a record-breaking 155 teams,” Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) Director Monica Chen noted.

“The festival itself has evolved into one of the largest multicultural events in New York and the largest festival of its kind in the U.S.,” she said.

Announcing the details of the campaign, festival Chairman Henry Wan said the 20th anniversary celebration had a soft launch in January, when Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang visited the city and attended a reception.

“We are now gearing up for the series of celebratory events that will culminate in the two-day festival on August 7 and 8,” said Mr. Wan.

“The celebratory programs will start in late June, with a series of short film clips broadcast on various Jumbotrons in Times Square,” said Mr. Wan. “Under the auspices of HSBC, this TV campaign will be enhanced with added exposure on HSBC’s big screen at Times Square six weeks before the festival.”

On July 1, a ceremony will be held at Central Park with a demonstration race of two boats.  N.Y. Park Commissioner Adrian Benepe will preside at the ceremony.

On July 24, festival organizers will be part of the City of Water Day event at Governors Island.

On August 7, the Empire State Building will mark the anniversary with a show-of-light spectacular.

Concluding the celebration, a team dinner will be held August 23 at the Boat House in Central Park. Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong will be the guest of honor. The dinner will be attended by city government officials, community leaders, major sponsors, representatives of the business sector and the media.

“The festival has always enjoyed high visibility, with the support of the local media.  Joining the list of media partners this year, we will have the New York Times on board,” Mr. Wan said.

The 20th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York will be held August 7-8 at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadow/Corona Park in Queens. More than 150 racing teams from across North America will compete. At least 50,000 spectators are expected to participate in the land-based activities, which will include all sorts of cultural and folk art events.  The HKETONY is the principal festival benefactor.