Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival returns to Lakeshore State Park this weekend

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Drag Boat Festival returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will be held at Lakeshore State Park, located on Harbor Drive, on Saturday, Aug. 13. 

From 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the normally tranquil Lake Shore Park will see colorfully decorated 43-foot-long dragon boats and over 3,000 racers and spectators. 

The daylong event draws over 50 teams from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. The Festival, with exciting Chinese cultural performances, market exhibits, Chinese folk music, and martial arts has also become a go-to event for families looking for weekend activities. The Kids Zone features two fully staffed bounce houses, arts and crafts, and Games Central with multiple games and prizes. Popular Asian Fusion food will be available for purchase.

“The Dragon Boat Festival has been one of the favorite festivals in the city. It showcases our community coming together to enjoy each other through the colorful dragon boat race. Due to the Covid pandemic, the festival was put on hold for the last two years. We are very excited that this beloved festival will be returning to the Lake Shore Park this summer,“ says the Executive Director of the Planning Committee, Danwei Han. “This festival has added richness to our vibrant city. After two years of anticipation, we are expecting a record turn out this year.”

Dragon boat racing begins at 8:00 a.m. The opening ceremony is scheduled at 10:15 a.m. and features a dragon dance, Kongfu Fan Dance, Hsinchiang Dance, Long Fan Dance and other performances and children games. The closing ceremony is scheduled at 3:30p.m. .

The event is organized by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center (MCCC), co-Sponsored by OCA-Wisconsin Chapter and the National Association of Asian American Professionals. This is a non-profit event with all proceeds benefiting the United Way.

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