Dragon boat racing is regarded as one of the most important folk activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. In order to create a strong festive atmosphere, on the afternoon of June 10, a total of 12 village groups organized dragon boat races in Yuehe Village and Changdi village of Fankou Street. A total of 288 participants of 12 dragon boats took part in the event, attracting nearly 10,000 spectators on both sides of the bank.
On that day, Changgang River was crowded with people on both sides of the bank. 12 dragon boat raced in the river, presenting a lively scene of deafening sound of gongs and drums. The crowd who came to watch the race walk to the beat of the drums, cheering and shouting, presenting a lively scene. “Last Dragon Boat Festival, I came all the way from downtown to watch the Yue River Dragon Boat Race, and this year I come again to feel the festive atmosphere.” a citizen named Mr. Jiang said.
Zhang Yunqiao, Head of the Fourth Group of Yuehe Village, introduced that the tradition of dragon boat racing organized during the Dragon Boat Festival has lasted for more than 200 years in Yuehe Village. “We also have raised strict requirements for team members who participate in dragon boat racing activities. The participants should be aged under 55 years old, are in good health, and must wear life jackets on the boat.”
“In order to ensure the safe operation of the event, Fankou Street took the lead in coordinating units, including Fankou Police Station, the 4th Squadron of Traffic Police, and the 3rd Hospital, and other units, making detailed arrangements in advance and organizing personnel to maintain order at the scene,” said Zhang Jiefeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Work Committee and Office Director of Fankou Street.