The Dragon Boat Festival has more than 2000 years of history and is one of the more important traditional festivals in China. Last year several Cambridge Chinese organisations celebrated this Chinese Festival for the first time in many years.
This colourful event, held on the river near Jesus Green was a great success attracting many hundreds of local Cambridge people. Our Mayor also supported this new Cambridge event and played a positive role in letting more people understand and experience Chinese culture. It also offered everyone an opportunity for a fun packed day.
Watching the Dragon Boat races along River Cam
Last year’s Dragon Boat race was attended by twelve teams of rowers including teams from Huawei, ARM, Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Cambridge Chinese Community Centre. The river bank was thronged with hundreds of keen supporters: willing their teams to win.
A highlight of the event was a race between the two teams from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. This race attracted many viewers and was definitely one of the most competitive races of the day. However every race was held in good spirits with the emphasis on having an enjoyable family day.
The Mayor of Cambridge, Jeremy Benstead and former Mayor Robert Dryden not only attended the event, but also participated in the Dragon Boat race. They both expressed the wish that the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival could become an annual Cambridge event.
Mayor Jeremy Benstead, team member in a Race
In addition to the Dragon Boat races, there were stalls selling traditional Chinese food & trinkets with further entertainment in the form of Traditional Chinese Lion Dance, Chinese Folk Dance & Taichi demonstrations. There were also special entertainments for the many children present.
Map showing where the Dragon Boat Festival takes place
Traditional Chinese Folk Dance and Tai Chi Demonstration
Dragon Boat Festival, Jesus Green 2016
The event has not only attracted thousands of spectators but also attracted the attention of the media from home and abroad. Chinese National TV, CCTV made a special television report. And Cambridge News did a colourful full page report.
Some screen shots from CCTV
（http://tv.cctv.com/2016/06/09/VIDEorCPY1xjOsbKPmEEyq9e160609.shtml）
Cambridge News full page report
Following the great success of last year, Cambridge Chinese Community Centre will be holding a second Dragon Boat Festival this year. It will be on the 27th May 2017, in the same place: Jesus Green Park and River Cam (near Chesterton Road under the Foot Bridge over the River) . Holding this event again has only been possible with support from Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Chinese Embassy in London, UK Sichuan Business Association, Cambridge Chinese Investors Association, UK Chinese Sports Games, UK Chinese Students & Scholars Association, Cambridge Chinese Students & Scholars Association, Cambridge Chinese Association, and other organisations.
Based on the success of last year’s event we intend to take the event to a higher level in both quality and content. We hope to turn the event into an annual Cambridge Chinese cultural window, a Chinese food window, and a door that will open to improve knowledge of our Chinese and English cultures.
To help us organise an even better event we would like to listen to your opinions and welcome your participation. Due to various unforeseen reasons we could not inform you earlier about this event. We believe that this year’s Festival will attract more people and with your support more attention. Our loyal band of volunteers will, as always; be there to help and we sincerely thank them.
o To give us advice or for general queries, please contact Yang at: Yc1851@gmail.com or Wechat：yyddcc2012
o To sponsor us, please contact Mary at xl334@cam.ac.uk or Wechat：liuxiuyun22
o To participate in the Dragon Boat races, please contact Mr Li at lizhixin2011@gmail.com or Wechat：li7830329376
o To hire a stall please contact Mr Shang at shiboshang@qq.com or Wechat：shiboshang
Time: 27 May 2017, 10am – 4:30pm Dragon Boat race and stalls 10pm -4:30pm
Lion dancing, Chinese Folk Dance & Taichi and Childrens entertainments
Venue: Jesus Green and River Cam, Cambridge CB4 3AN as shown in the map on the second page.
Family Fun! And Free to attend!