HARTFORD, CT — Riverfront Recapture is looking for volunteers to help with this weekend's Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, which will bring dragon boat racing, cultural performances, food and other activities to downtown Hartford.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. 300 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.
Individuals and groups can volunteer, according to organizers. Those interested can register through the volunteer link on the festival's website at riverfront.org/events/riverfront-asian-festival/.
Questions about volunteering can be directed to Sberman@riverfront.org.
The annual event celebrates Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, art activities, food and martial arts demonstrations. Community and club dragon boat teams will also compete on the Connecticut River.
Dragon boat racing typically features 20 paddlers in each boat, along with a drummer who sets the stroke rate and a steersperson who controls the boat's direction.
Hartford has served as a dragon boating hub for more than 20 years, and the annual festival draws more than 70 teams from the Northeast and beyond, according to Riverfront Recapture.
What's On The Schedule
The festival will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony and dragon dance by Malee's School of Tai Chi & Kung Fu on the Lower Plaza.
Performances on the Plaza Corner Stage begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day, featuring Jinling Dance Group, Asian Performing Arts, East Culture Arts, All Connecticut Chinese Chorus, Phoenix Performing Arts and Connecticut Chinese Culture Center.
Martial arts and cultural demonstrations on the Lily Bed Stage begin at 11 a.m., with performances by Tat Wong Kung Fu, Malee's School of Tai Chi & Kung Fu, Mountain River Taiko, Long River Budo and Julong Wushu.
More information, including volunteer registration, is available through Riverfront Recapture.
To see a video on the event, click on this link.
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