NOTICE: NO ANNUAL FESTIVAL THIS YEAR! The 8th Annual California International Dragon Boat Festival will be held next year on August 13-14, 2005.
Annually, the International Dragon Boat Association typically produces a dragon boat
festival at Jack London Square. This year, however, we will be diverting all of our resources to formally establish a Youth Dragon Boat program under the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department and the Jack London Aquatic Center. The International Dragon Boat Association extends
a warm invitation to all local paddlers, especially youth, and invite them to join our summer programs. Boats and equipment will be available to adult paddlers, who want to get their teams ready for this year's season of racing.
Dragon boating dates back 2,000 years to a revered, Chinese poet and statesman,
Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River in protest against his
corrupt government. Beloved by the people, the fishermen raced out in their
boats in a failed attempt to try to save him. To scare away the fish and
evil spirits from Qu Yuan's body, the fisherman beat their drums and thrashed
their paddles in the water. Today, dragon boating is a re-enactment of
that rescue attempt and a tradition commemorating Qu Yuan and his heroic
spirit. Competition is fierce and camaraderie high.
The California International Dragon Boat Festival will resume in 2005 and will be held
on the waterfront of Jack London Square and in the Oakland Estuary, where
the waters are ideal for dragon boating. Named after one of America's
most well-known literary figures, Jack London Square is a wonderful venue
to stage this annual event with its numerous restaurants, tourist attractions,
shops, and boutiques.
Proposed Festival Format for next year's action packed Weekend Event:
DAY 1: Saturday, August 13, 2005
Traditional Opening Ceremony - Awakening the Dragons
Dragon boat racing preliminaries
Arts and Craft Fair with over 100 vendors
All day performances on the Cultural Stage
Artists Alley for art Education Projects
DAY 2: Sunday, August 14, 2005
Dragon boat racing Finals
Arts and Craft Fair with over 100 vendors
All day performances on the Cultural Stage
Artists Alley for art Education Projects
Closing Ceremonies to award the winning teams
The FESTIVAL IS FREE TO SPECTATORS. For more information on the
Festival or to find out how you can start your own team or join an existing
team, please click on the yellow "Jack London Dragonboat Festival" tab
at the top of page.
