On June 15, Chinese American Association of Central Florida (CAACF) has fulfilled its mission over the years by hosting Duanwu Dragon Boat festival, featuring workshop attendants a taste of both dragon boat racing and delicious Zongzi 粽子 – a bamboo leaf wrapped sticky rice dumplings. Attendees also learned about the history of behind Duanwu Festival through storytelling and trivia competition.
‘Duanwu Jie’ in Mandarin Chinese (Tuen Ng in Cantonese) or Dragon Boat Festival has a rich history in China and its origins have long been debated. The most popular and accepted tale is that it was derived to celebrate the life of the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who was loyal to the state of Chu during the Warring States Period. Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (Friday 6th June this year). People in China have three days of holiday to commemorate the festival and many of them will choose to celebrate with friends and family, enjoying traditions such as dragon boat racing and eating ‘zongzi’.
The 2019 CAACF Duanwu Festival Event has over a hundred participants in four teams. Participants from the Pi Delta Psi at UCF, High School Asian Students group R.E.A.C.H. of Central Florida, Thuyen May Productions, Chinese School of CAACF, Chinese American Association of Central Florida (CAACF), Clermont Dragon Boat Club, C.H.A.R.G.E. Dragon Boat Club, and Orlando Dragon Boat Club. The final 1st place combines team with Pi Delta Psi @ UCF and Clermont Dragon Boat Club paddlers.
The Dragon Boat Eye Doting Ceremony by Taiwan Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner, Mr Joe Wang and Taipei Economic & Cultural Office In Miami Senior Expatriate Affairs Officer Ms. Beth Wu. Attendees also learned about the history of behind Duanwu Festival through storytelling.
CAACF Duanwu Festival 2019 sponsored by: Orlando Rowing Club / Orlando Dragon Boat Club / C.H.A.R.G.E. Dragon Boat Club.
Thank You the CAACF Board of Directors, Chinese School of CAACF, CHARGE Dragon Boat Club committee and members, R.E.A.C.H. of Central Florida, Orlando Dragon Boat Club. Also thanks: John Chung, C.K. Lau, Genna Liddick, and John Taitano for steering the boats, Dave Hoeh for the Safety Boat, Captains for the 4 teams – Tom Chu, Ken Graff, Susan Hoeh, and Vu Nguyen. Eric Anderson and Jerry Lavender – mark time for the races.
Photos and videos by Patrick Anderson and C.K. Lau (AsiaTrend.org).
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