To Do in RI: 23rd annual Chinese Dragon Boat Races, Taiwan Festival – TODAY

CELEBRATE ASIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE AT THE 23rd ANNUAL RHODE ISLAND CHINESE DRAGON BOAT RACES & TAIWAN DAY FESTIVAL

Day-long event features competitive rowing, the popular dumpling eating contest, and Asian festival on the pier with live cultural entertainment and more!

The 23rd Annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival is TODAY –  Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 9 am-4 pm, at Festival Pier in Pawtucket, RI. The event is free to attend, and free parking and shuttles are located at 100 Main Street, Pawtucket and 167 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket.

This signature day-long event along the Pawtucket River is presented by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. In addition to the Dragon Boat Races, Festival Pier will offer the family-friendly Taiwan Day Festival showcasing Asian culture. This year we’re excited to welcome Nostalgia For Taiwan performed by National Taiwan College of Performing Arts and Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe as they kick off their North American Tour with us!

The dragon boat races continue to use the colorful fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and uniquely incorporates the skill of flag-catching in each race. The course length is 200 meters long up the Pawtucket River, with three boats racing at a time. Spectators line the river and fill the grandstand to watch these exciting sprint races. 

The Taiwan Day Festival presents cultural entertainment with performances from the Chinese Folk Art Workshop, as well as their traditional Taiwanese art & crafts tables. The festival also has a great selection of Asian food trucks, vendors, the Taste Of Taiwan, and interactive activities for children and families.

Also being held at this event is the extremely popular Chinese Dumpling Eating Contest where the winner will receive a round-trip ticket to Taipei, Taiwan. Space is limited for this contest. Contestants can sign up the day of the event at the registration tent at the entrance of the festival.

More information about this unique and exciting event can be found at dragonboatri.com

About the acrobatic troupes:

The NTCPA Acrobatics Troupe is the only acrobatic company under the auspices of the government in Taiwan. Formerly known as the Fu Hsing Acrobatics Troupe, it was firstly founded on July 1, 1990, under the instruction of the Executive Yuan.  The Acrobatics Troupe is composed of youths who have received rigorous acrobatic training for at least eight years. These young artists are agile and nimble, capable of doing breathtaking acrobatic movements. Their performances also demonstrate the profound culture in arts.

The Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe was founded in 1990 as well and is currently the only professional acrobatic troupe in Taiwan. The troupe includes members that are largely drawn from graduates of the Department of Acrobatics and Dance at National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy and the Chinese Folk Arts Training Center. All of them are professional performers who have undergone intensive training to refine their skills to a high level.