Springfield Dragon Boat Festival | WWLP

The 10th annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival drew hundreds of people to the Connecticut River to celebrate Chinese culture and watch some fast and exciting boat races.
Jim Broderick of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club said the partnership with the Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts made this event unique.

“They’ve added a wonderful component to the festival because now we’re incorporating the Chinese cultural aspect, which makes it even more special. We’re doing racing, but now we’re incorporating the Chinese aspect, which is where it all started,” Broderick said.

There were 28 teams that competed in the event and each boat team consisted of 8 men, 8 women and a drummer. Each race was 200 meters, which is about two football fields and lasts about a minute.

Steven Connor, a member of Veterans Dragon Boat USA, said he has been participating in the race for several years.

“It was a chance to get back into team sports, teamwork, all that stuff and be someone who’s been in the military. It’s all about the person next to you, on either side of you, the guy behind you and in front of you and having their back. This is a way for veterans to get back into that mode,” Connor said.

This race wasn’t the only celebration of the day. There was also music, food trucks and a variety of cultural performances. The festival also included a cancer patient, a flower ceremony on the river and an award ceremony for the winners.