Dragon boat by Hannah Pittel

Dragon Boat Festival October 1, 2016

Introduction

Philadelphia has a long history of boating and boat races. Rowing and paddling have been a favorite sport and activity among Philadelphians for many years, everyand morning theRowing joggers and along Philadelphia has a long history of and boating boatamid races. andcyclists pad PhilKelly Drive you’re almost always sure to find at least a boat or two out on the river as the sunrise reflects adelphia has a long history of boating and boat races. Rowing and paddling have been off a the river. favorite sport and activity among Philadelphians for many years, andevery morning amid The scene was virtually the same on Saturday, October 1st but with a scaly twist. Dozens of boats the joggers and cyclists alongwith Kelly Drive dragon’s you’re almost always towicked find atserpent least tail a boat packed to the brim with paddlers a fearsome head at the helm sure and the at or two out on the river as the sunrise reflects off the river. the back, while colorful and pattered reptilian scales are adorned the sides of the boats. It’s thescene Philadelphia International Boat Festival, one of the oddest mosta interesting The was virtually the Dragon same on Saturday, October 1st butand with scaly twist. cultural to take place intothe this year. festival iswith a tribute to a longstanding tradition Dozensevents of boats packed thecitybrim withThe paddlers a fearsome dragon’sChinese head at the that dates back to as early as 278 B.C. helm and the wicked serpent tail at the back, while colorful and pattered reptilian scales So to assuage any fears that Chinese dragons are rising from the depths of the Schuylkill to terrorize the are adorned the sides of the boats. good people of Philly, fear not. It’s just a bunch of people splicing their love of boating, arts and crafts and thetoPhiladelphia International ChineseIt’s culture have a good and exciting time. Dragon Boat Festival, one of the oddest and

The scene was virtually the same on Saturday, October 1st but with a scaly twist. Dozens of boats packed to the brim with paddlers with a fearsome dragon’s head at the helm and the wicked serpent tail at the back, while colorful and pattered reptilian scales are adorned the sides of the boats. It’s the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, one of the oddest and most interesting cultural events to take place in the city this year. The festival is a tribute to a longstanding Chinese tradition that dates back to as early as 278 B.C. So to assuage any fears that Chinese dragons are rising from the depths of the Schuylkill to terrorize the good people of Philly, fear not. It’s just a bunch of peopl splicing their love of boating, arts and crafts and Chinese culture to have a good and exciting time.

most interesting cultural events to take place in the city this year. The festival is a tribute to a longstanding Chinese tradition that dates back to as early as 278 B.C. So to assuage any fears that Chinese dragons are rising from the depths of the Schuylkill to terrorize the good people of Philly, fear not. It’s just a bunch of people splicing their love of boating, arts and crafts and Chinese culture to have a good and exciting time. dling have been a favorite sport and activity among Philadelphians for many years, and every morning amid the joggers and cyclists along Kelly Drive you’re almost always sure to find at least a boat or two out on the river as the sunrise reflects off the river.

September 2016

Photo by Geneva Heffernan

Faces in the Crowd

Tony (R) and Katie (L) wait for their daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team to be announced over the intercom to race in the Dragon Boat Race in Philadelphia, Pa., on

(Top) Dave Cosden (L), Danielle Murphy (M), and Nicole Damino (R), part of the Thoracic Dragons team, enjoy their day at the Dragon Boat Race in Philadelphia, Pa., on October 1, 2016.

The Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival took place on October 1, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pa. Located by Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive, many teams of friends and families got together to join in on a day of competition and fun. Tents hung around everywhere with all of the different teams set up under them. Fall was in the air that day, with hay lying on the ground for people to not get mud on their boots. With all dressed warmly in their seasonal gear, many were chit chatting, watching the teams race and eat the good food that had been made for them. Grills were turned on, porter potties were decorated and many people were enjoying their Saturday despite the cold and dreary weather.

Thoracic Dragons, a team made up of employees from Aria-Jefferson , raised money for this event to go toward cancer patients. For them, it was a wonderful day filled with good times and laughter for a good cause. Many others were just there as supporters for their children on the teams, or just to see what it was all about. While many were there to enjoy their day, many were there to work to ensure the safety of the event that was taken place was safe for everyone around them. Many that had come to the event had been going for years, while others were still enjoying the beginning of a new tradition. Emma Ryan and Jerard Bourke came to the event to row with some friends for this event. It was

their second year at the Dragon Boat Festival but are going to keep coming back because they love it so much. Tony and Katie have been going to the Dragon Boat Festival for many years. They had to leave early in order to watch their daughter race in the event. Throughout the whole, they enjoy as much as the new comers. As this event is one that happens yearly, it is something to put on the checklist for next year. People are very welcoming and warm at this event. It is also a great time for families and friends to come together for a day of fun by the river!

Emma Ryan (L) and Jerard Bourke (R) enjoy the end of racing day in

Festival Foods: Chargrilled, Flame Broiled, Dragon Style

A Crowd of Camaraderie Austin Albright

The Races

Photo by Geneva Heffernan

Geneva Heffernan

hannon Houlihan, Team “A Love for Life” “A year ago, I had open heart surgery, I had general heart defects, and I could barely walk a half a block. I had surgery at Penn, and my life has completely changed. I am now active, and I had the idea a year ago with my friend Tara, to do Dragon Boat Races this year, and I did. I went to cardiac rehab and then through wellness, and I’m working out all the time, and

the idea that I can do this is mind-blowing… I know that I’m doing well because all of the research, and the sacrifices of the people who went before me… And now, ‘A Love for Life’ is raising money for pancreatic cancer research, because it is our journey to do that so they can be in the position we are now.”

Susan Macenski, Team “Saint Thomas and Villanova Holy Orders” “This is our sixth year [as a team]. We started as a church team with our parish. One of the women in our parish is one of the founders of the organization of the festival… It’s a lot of fun because we are all friends outside of the festival, so the fact that we all get to come down here, and we all have kids, but we come down here without our families mostly, and

we have just sort of a nice day hanging out, is really fun. We tend to place somewhere in the middle, which is okay for us, we’re happy with that… We mostly just try to keep it fun.”

Photo by Conor Rottmond

Conor Rottmund

Kevin Barr

Montana Bassett

The annual Dragon Boat Festival took place on Saturday, October 1 on Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River and visitors were pleased with how the event went this year. “We all thought it was going to rain today,” Michael Reinhart, 43, said as he watched a race unfold in the distance. “We try to make it out every year, so I’m glad me and my family had a good day today.” The races are held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and over 120 teams participated in the event. Dragon Boat Racing is an ancient Chinese sport and dates back over 2000 years according to the Dragon Boat Festival’s website. Currently, it is meant to encourage fitness to all participants, no matter age or ability. “The sport is quite interesting,” Reinhart said. “The teams are all so diverse and I like seeing that.” The diversity within the sport’s culture allows for a group mindset when it comes to fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. “We each enjoy the benefits of the physical work we are putting in,” Wilma Sykes, one of the rowers, mentioned. “If and when we win, it brings on a sense of personal fulfillment.” Many other the other rowers agree and it feel it has provided them with an outlet to learn about themselves. “I have met a lot of people I really enjoy being around while participating in this group,” Colleen Franklin said. “It provokes me to keep being better and continue improving myself.” This event is derived from the original idea that the Martin Luther king drive should be closed down to promote activity and fitness. It has been an annual event since 1983 according to their website and ensues a culture throughout the city. Many enjoy the event’s festivities every year. “We love coming here every year to experience the culture and excitement of Philadelphia,” said one visitor, Catherine Heights, 57. “The boats are beautiful and the events before and after the races are always a good time.”