15th Annual Dragon Boat Festival
Flushing Meadow, NY
August 2005

by Wendy Liem

Despite the extreme heat and news that threatened rain and thunderstorm throughout the weekend, the 15th Annual Dragon Boat Festival went off without a hitch. Small tents and booths of participating organizations surrounded the packed lakeside area of the park. As beads of sweat covered everyone's faces, members from different teams each wore their distinctive uniforms and held their heads up high, eager to release the adrenaline and anticipation that had been stored since the night before. Parents held their children's hands leading them through the crowded line of vendors, making sure their kids would not go astray. Teenagers, young, and old couples walked hand in hand visiting each booth.

Like in previous years, people from all different cultures and backgrounds gathered around the lake at Flushing Meadows Park to cheer for their sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, or  simply to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere that filled the park that sunny day. With a Mr. Softie truck parked in the middle of the attraction and a booth selling the famous Chinatown Ice Cream Factory flavors like Passion Fruit and Lychee, it is fascinating to witness the sight of grown adults acting like children. 

As a Stony Brook alumna paddling with JP Morgan Chase Dragon Boat Team, that weekend almost felt as though it was a Stony Brook event. Stony Brook alumni were seen all about, paddling their way through the snakehead fish infested water, paddling for teams such as DCH, M.A.D, and Xtreme NY. 

As a first year paddler, the competition was an exhilarating experience for me. Sitting on that boat with both hands clasped tightly on both ends of the paddle, continuously digging my arms straight deep into the water, feeling the resistance of the water as I pulled the paddle through it. Listening to the voices of my teammates motivating me to dig deeper and listening to their shouts of  "we're almost there" and hearing my teammates happily cheering by the side of the lake. That in itself just made my experience even more memorable. 

Despite the extremely hot weather, the Dragon Boat Festival struck a happy chord in all of us that participated. All those strenuous weekday and weekend practices have paid off, and now I sit here eagerly awaiting next year's competition.

The official website: http://www.hkdbf-ny.org/

JP Morgan Chase photos: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/732406/6