‘The Awakening of The Dragons’ Kicks off Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race Season

Queen Michaela helped awaken the dragons today. Dragon Boating season is underway now!

Portland, OR. Rose Festival Queen Michaela Canete helped kick off Dragon Boat racing season at the ‘The Awakening of The Dragons’ ceremony on March 31st. It’s a tradition when local and visiting dignitaries paint red dots on the eyes of the Dragon Boat figureheads to officially “wake” them up.

Buddhists from the Hui Lin Temple lead this centuries old Chinese ceremony each year.

Annual activities include drumming and Lion Dancing by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).

The Royal Rosarians were asked by the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association to participate once again in this annual event. Dignitaries invited include: Rose Festival CEO Jeff Curtis, Portland Rose Festival Queen Michaela Canete, Royal Rosarians Prime Minister Adam Baker, and Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Assoc. President Mike Bostwick.

Lion Dancing by the CCBA is always popular.

The event ends with a parade of dragon boats and the Portland Fireboat spraying the traditional water cannon salute.

Here are more details:

Starting Sunday, April 1, each racing team will get three one-hour practice sessions a week with the boats to prepare for the June 9 & 10 competitions.

There are three race divisions: Mixed, Women’s and High School.

Mixed Division: Ages 14 and up – 5 trophy groups

Women’s Division: Ages 14 and up – 2 trophy groups

High School Division: Ages 14 to 18 – 1 trophy group

Here’s a link for more information on the races: http://www.rosefestival.org/event/dragon-boat-race

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.