CHICAGO — Ten thousand people turned out for the 6th Annual Chinatown ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy, hosted by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at Ping Tom Memorial Park on July 22.
Known to insiders as one of Chicago’s hidden jewels (the park is a breathtaking 12-acre site complete with Chinese pavilion, small rolling hills and rock gardens, all tucked away off a non-descript side street at the outskirts of Chicago’s Chinatown at 300 West 19th Street). Hidden along the south branch of the Chicago River, the park, dedicated in 1999, is only recently becoming more well-known to the general public and to tourists, due to events like the Dragon Boat Race.
The free daylong event kicked off on a gorgeous morning with an Awakening the Dragon and Lion Dance Ceremony presented by Chicago Dragons Athletic Association.
“The Dragon Boat Race is a beautiful, colorful and fun way for all Chicagoans and visitors to enjoy a summer day,” said Betty Chow, chairman of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. “The Dragon Boat Race is one of our chamber’s major events, organized in line with our mission of promoting business opportunities and tourism.”
Twenty-two teams competed in a 350-meter race on the beautifully decorated dragon boats (which were brought in from out of state). Each team consisted of 20 members: 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher. The 18 paddlers, each with an oar, rowed to the beat of the drummer, while the flag catcher of each team pulled the flag off the water at the finish line.
The performance stage featured musical and cultural performances by Vandercook College of Music, the Chinese Bible Church of Oak Park, and classical Chinese dancing and break dancing performances presented by youth from the Chinese American Service League programs. Especially popular were colorful Bhangra and Bollywood dances by the Punjabi Cultural Society. Folks in blue jeans, tank tops and shorts joined the Punjabi dancers, who were in full native costume, to the beat of the steady Punjabi Dohl (drum).
Fun in the sun included a Cultural Art Station for Children, presented by Mao Bi; carnival games, concession stands by Chicago Fun Events and a DJ provided by Tea Leaf Café.
A special race took place between members from the Chicago Police Department 21st District and Chicago Fire Department-Chinatown Station.
Teams were qualified in rounds of elimination. Lisa Yee, an attorney on the CABA/AABA/AON team, joked when comparing boating skills of the lawyers on her team, eliminated in one of the early rounds, to the Aquaholics (who eventually won first place). “I heard they’ve been practicing for three months!” she declared. Hours later, Aquaholics’ team captain, Rick from Toronto, clarified: “No, just twice a week since April [for three hours],” he said.
