MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee Drag Boat Festival is back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will be held at Lakeshore State Park, located on Harbor Drive, on Saturday, August 13.
From 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the normally quiet Lake Shore Park will see colorfully decorated 43-foot-long dragon boats and more than 3,000 racers and spectators.
The one-day event attracts more than 50 teams from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. With exciting Chinese cultural performances, market exhibitions, Chinese folk music and martial arts, the Festival has also become an ideal event for families looking for weekend activities. The children’s area includes two fully staffed bounce houses, arts and crafts, and Games Central with multiple games and prizes. Popular Asian fusion food will be available for purchase.
“The Dragon Boat Festival has been one of the city’s favorite festivals. It showcases our community coming together to enjoy each other through colorful dragon boat racing. Due to the Covid pandemic, the festival was suspended for the last two years. We are very excited to have this beloved festival return to Lake Shore Park this summer,” says Planning Committee Executive Director Danwei Han. “This festival has added richness to our vibrant city. After two years of anticipation, we look forward to a record this year.”
Dragon boat racing starts at 8:00 am The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:15 am and includes a dragon dance, Kongfu Fan Dance, Hsinchiang Dance, Long Fan Dance and other children’s performances and games. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. .
The event is hosted by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center (MCCC), co-sponsored by the OCA-Wisconsin Chapter and the National Association of Asian American Professionals. This is a non-profit event with all proceeds benefiting the United Way.
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