The Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival is presented by the Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle and takes place in Tavares every April. The highlight of the annual festival is a 500-meter dragon boat race. Hundreds of racers participate in the annual event, the largest of its kind in Florida.
Attending the Dragon Boat Festival
- The Dragon Boat Festival is at Wooton Park in Tavares. On the first night of the festival, racing teams gather for a pre-race ceremony and a stunning fireworks display over Lake Dora. Following the next morning's dragon boat race, attendees are treated to a performance by Japanese Taiko drummers. The festival features traditional Asian food, belly dancing, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese acrobats, live music and dozens of vendors.
Watching the Dragon Boat Race
- Central Florida's Dragon Boat Festival began in 2002 and has grown every year. The festival's boats, 40 feet long, are decorated with brightly colored, ornamental dragon heads and tails. Each boat carries 20 front-facing paddlers, as well as a steer person and drummer. Audible drummers are required at the front of each boat to maintain the history and culture of traditional dragon boating.
Know Before You Go
- The boat race begins on the second morning of the festival, kicking off the all-day celebrations. Admission is generally only a few dollars per person, but it's wise to call in advance to confirm the amount needed. Bring extra cash for food and goods from festival vendors, because some do not accept other forms of payment. Some parking is available at the park, and additional street parking can be found on surrounding blocks.
History of Dragon Boats
- Dragon boats have a long and symbolic history, according to the International Dragon Boat Federation. In ancient China, dragon boats were used in festival celebrations, various water rituals and religious ceremonies. Over 2,000 years ago, Qu Yuan, a great warrior poet, waded into the Miluo River in today's Hunan Province while carrying a heavy rock. His suicide was a protest against the political corruption of his time. The Chinese people organized dragon boat races to honor his memory. Since that time, dragon boat racing has grown in popularity around the world and has become an integral part of Chinese culture.
