6/7/2024: The Dragon Boats Are Coming

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council announced today that Dragon Boat racing is returning to Pawtucket on Saturday, August 31. It all takes place at Festival Pier, on the Pawtucket River, across the river from the new RIFC Tidewater Soccer Stadium. This year will be the 23rd year for the races and if you have not seen them in person, it’s a must for every Rhode Islander. Teams travel from all over the Northeast to paddle in Pawtucket because this city hosts the only Dragon Boat Race on the East Coast that includes catching the elusive red flag, during the 1,000-meter paddle to the finish line. This adds excitement and a touch of drama to each race. It’s impossible not to have fun at this event.

Local organizations form ad-hoc teams and love this day. They make it their riverfront “tailgate party” of the year. Everyone shows up to cheer them on. No need to be a professional paddler. In fact, your friends will have more fun if they are not professional paddlers. Many teams organize to have fun and represent their business, neighborhood and union. Beer prizes and cash prizes are prevalent. The Pawtucket Police are always the first to sign up and they love to challenge others to do the same.

Chinese traditional entertainment is on the Main Stage all day long, and you’ll find lots of food vendors and exhibit booths. Last year, almost 8,000 people attended.

There is a fee to join the fun with a team. The fun is free, however. T-shirts, team building, boats, paddles and life jackets are all supplied by the organizers. Teams have the opportunity to practice in the dragon boats all summer long. This is a great team-building experience. The more you practice, the more fun you have.

Major sponsors to date are Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Luke Charitable Foundation, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, City of Pawtucket, Pawtucket Arts Festival and  Chinese Folk Art Workshop.