July 31, 2024 - Experience the traditional culture and competition of the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races and celebrate recreation on the river at Promenade Park on August 2 and 3. This two-day event begins on Friday at 5:00 p.m. with free family-friendly activities and colorful dance and drum performances by the Chinese Friends & Family Association. Try your hand at a little calligraphy, pose in the photo booth, get temporarily inked with a tattoo, play a little ping pong and soak in the celebration of community. Teds snack+bar and a selection of *food trucks will offer refreshment for purchase.
At 7:00 p.m., local musician, Austin Bridges will perform in the Sweetwater Band Shell. The Opening Ceremony kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with a welcome from Riverfront Manager Riley Hollenbaugh and features the beautiful performances of the Fort Wayne Chinese Friends & Family Association in the Old National Bank Plaza. Afterwards, find a seat in the Ambassador Enterprises Amphitheatre for the spectacular Fire Dancers and Floating Fire Pits at 9:30 p.m. on the St. Marys River.
Come back on Saturday for more culture and the competition! Watch the Dotting of the Eyes Ceremony with Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel at 9:30 a.m. then cheer on your favorite team as they race on the St. Marys River. The races are approximately 250 meters in length, beginning just west of the Wells Street Bridge and ending near the Harrison Street Bridge. The winning time in 2023 was 01:11.393 earning the Steel Dynamics Inc. #1 team the title, Gold Champions. The Chinese Friends & Family earned Silver with 01:11.639, followed by the Don Hall’s Buster Battalions with 01:11.879 earning Bronze. Additional activities for children are planned on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. including crafting dragon masks and learning origami. Take a break from the sun in the Park Foundation Pavilion and appreciate cultural activities like calligraphy, temporary tattoos, coloring and peruse art for sale.
Final heats will begin at 3:00 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. in the Sweetwater Band Shell. Kulture City Sensory Bags will be available for use while supplies last.
NOTE: Due to the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races, the Sweet Breeze Canal Boat tours will shift on Saturday, August 3, from afternoon to evening times beginning at 5:00 p.m. (60-minute tour) and 6:15 p.m. (60-minute tour) and return to the regular afternoon hours on Sunday, August 4, of 1:00 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
*Friday food options: Chau Time, Carmelita’s and Polski BBQ food trucks will park on Harrison Street. Teds snack+bar will offer snacks, sandwiches and beverages as well as Tropical Sno shaved ice and a full bar for purchase in the Plaza and the Pavilion.
*Saturday Food options; Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck will be parked along Harrison Street beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by Carmelita’s, Kain Na and Polski BBQ beginning at 10:00 a.m. Kung Fu Tea will be available in the pavilion and Teds snack+bar will also be open.