About the Festival

Since 2000, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has presented Rhode Island’s Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival. The event consists of dragon boat races for professional and amateur teams, along with many cultural and artistic events, including the always popular Chinese dumpling eating contest, aimed at adults and children. With the emphasis on competition and fun, the event makes an entertaining day for participants and the entire family.

The races began when the Council used wooden dragon boats shipped from Hong Kong and gifted by local businessman Louis Yip. In 2003, the Council received the gift of six fiberglass dragon boats from the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) that are now being used in the RI Dragon Boat and Taiwan Day Festival. Today, a full boat crew consists of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a person at the helm.

Races are held on the Blackstone River at Festival Pier in Pawtucket with the festival running from 8 am – 5 pm. Join the thousands who attend each year for great competition, fun, and to learn about Chinese culture.

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Race Info

Date/Time – September 9, 2017, 9 am – 4 pm

Venue – The races will take place at the Festival Pier, aka School Street Pier, on the Pawtucket River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Entrance Fee: $950

Divisions: There will be two race divisions: the Mixed Division requires a minimum of 6 female paddlers, and the Open Division has no gender restrictions. The Mixed Division will contain three finals.

Registration Deadline: TBD

Prizes:

  • Mixed Division Prizes:   The winning boat (Dragon Final) receives 20 round trip tickets direct flight from New York to Taiwan and a championship trophy. Winner of the second (Lion) final will receive a championship trophy and free entrance into the 2017 Boston Dragon Boat Festival. Winner of the third (Tiger) final will receive a championship trophy and free entrance into the 2017 Pawtucket Dragon Boat Festival. Second and third place finishers in each of the finals will receive a trophy.

  • The highest finishing MIXED Rhode Island team (second highest if a Rhode Island boat wins the overall race), will receive a $2,000 award.

  • Open Division Prizes:  The 1st place team will receive a championship trophy, and a free entry to the 2017 Pawtucket dragon boat race. The 2nd and 3rd place teams will win a trophy.

Team Members: Each team shall have a maximum of 23 members and minimum of 19, with a maximum of 20 paddlers and minimum of 16. Each team must have a drummer, flag catcher and steerperson.

Directions – For event site directions use this map or follow these directions.

Course –  The length is 1000 feet long and three lanes wide. Due to the weight of the Taiwan boats and the event’s focus on fun, the course is shorter than those found at USDBF events. The shorter course also enhances the experience of the thousands of spectators along the shore.

Flag-Catching – Flag catching remains part of the races so balance and agility count. Each team is required to have one person designated as the flag catcher and is identified as the person closest to the bow of the boat.

Management – The race heats, timing, scoring and all other related administration will be under the auspices of 22Dragons of Montréal, Canada.