Tourism News

A Tradition Along the Hudson River Dutchess County’s Annual Dragon Boat Race and Festival

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – The annual Dragon Boat Race and Festival is coming to Dutchess County on Saturday, July 25th. The race takes place outdoors and is safe and provides a great exercise for all levels of fitness. Twenty-four teams will compete on a 200-meter course, charging down to the splash of water and the cheering of thousands of spectators, and one will emerge as the Dragon Boat Champion. Here is your chance to be a part of a new and exciting recreational activity along the Hudson River. 22 Dragons and Dragon Boat club from Montreal, Canada, will provide the boats and equipment. They will also provide paddle training, a qualified and experienced boat steerer, and a full safety review before the race. Each team will have a bio on the festival’s website, which will provide organizations, clubs, or team sponsors an opportunity for publicity. Individual paddlers are also invited to sign up and will be placed on a team. Deadline for registration is July 10, 2015. While the races are taking place, the shoreline will be buzzing with energy and excitement from the Asian Cultural Festival. There will be staged performances, table tennis, sushi and cooking demos and more. Many art-oriented workshops will be offered, including temporary dragon tattoos, and others teaching kite making and origami. People of all ages can enjoy a day of friendly competition with a chance to experience something new, colorful, and special. A broad range of food and beverage vendors will be on the festival grounds. The event will take place at the Hudson River Rowing Association Community Boat House in Poughkeepsie, just a few hours after the mass hot air balloon launch of the annual Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Balloon Festival. All proceeds from the event benefit Arts Mid-Hudson (www.ArtsMidHudson.org) and the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation (http://MilesofHope.org). An early sponsor of the Race is Central Hudson Gas & Energy Corporation. Additional sponsorships are available and appreciated to assist the two beneficiary organizations partnering with Dutchess County Tourism. There are seven levels, all of which can be found at www.dutchessdragonboat.org/sponsor-online. There are a number of valuable benefits associated with each level.

Visit www.dutchessdragonboat.org for more information and to register as a participant or a sponsor for this exciting, new event in Poughkeepsie. There is also a Facebook page for the event you can “Like” at https://www.facebook.com/DutchessDragonBoatFestival.