We are pleased that Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival is a 510families sponsor. And they asked us really nicely to use the whole name every time.
California Dragon Boat Association presents the 24th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival September 28 & 29, 2019, Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm for FREE.
At the heart of the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival is the thrill of the races. Hundreds of dragon boat teams comprised of thousands of paddlers, ranging from novice teams to competitive caliber racers throughout the U.S. and visiting teams from around the world, come together for two days of world-class racing. And, of course, they look really cool while doing it!
Recommended for preschoolers to teenagers — and of course the babies in carriers that don’t know the difference — the days’ events promise to be memorable and exciting. The two-day Fest also features a full scale family festival with a vast array of special cultural arts performances, such as lion dancing, martial arts, Taiko drumming, with kids rides, food, local sports figures, and family-friendly activities.
Dragon Land – a “kids zone” pavilion, dedicated to a myriad of activities for families will return this year with activities including arts & crafts, games & prizes, obstacle courses, athletic challenges, science experiments and more.”Sports Zone” at Dragon Land, powered by Net Generation, will also return this year with tennis activities with the US Tennis Association
Plan your visit to the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival
Nearly 130 teams from around the globe take Part in world-class competitive races as colorful, 40-foot dragon boats take to the waters of Oakland’s Lake Merritt! There will also be an emphasis on health and wellness courtesy of this year’s title sponsor.
Website: www.sfdragonboat.com
Date/ Time: September 28 & 29, 2019, Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm with opening ceremonies at 11:30am.
Location: The festival will be centered around the Lake Merritt Boating Center and areas of Lakeside Park surrounding the Boating Center. 568 Bellevue Ave in Oakland (pretty close to Fairyland)
Parenting amenities: BYO diapers and supplies; food available for purchase.
What about parking, shuttles, transportation: There will be shuttles from the Kaiser Center parking garage which will offer $5 for all day parking and is also easily accessible via the 19th Street BART.
About Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon boating is a 2,500-year-old sport, originating in Southern China and is one of the fastest growing international team water sport throughout the world. Each year, race festivals are held around the globe in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States, with the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival as one of the largest festivals in the United States.
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of three major holidays celebrated in Chinese communities around the world. A dragon boat team consists of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson, and is heavily reliant on timing and teamwork. There are no “stars” in dragon boating, as the success of the boat depends upon how well the team works together.
The Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival is organized by the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA) and is the largest competitive dragon boat festival in the United States!
Thanks again to the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival for sponsoring 510families.
[All photos provided by California Dragon Boat Association, credit: Jimmy Chan used with permission]
