AANHPI Heritage Takes Center Stage: Dragon Boats Return to Riverdale Regional Park for a Day of Celebration
Get ready for a day of thrilling dragon boat races and vibrant cultural celebrations as the Colorado Dragon Boat Regatta returns to Mann-Nyholt Lake at Riverdale Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This thrilling event, now in its fourth year at Riverdale Regional Park, invites families and friends, to dive into the vibrant tapestry of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures in Adams County and Colorado. Join us for this free, public celebration that promises to immerse everyone in the rich arts and culture of the region.
“Our partnership with Adams County and Riverdale Regional Park continues to be a cornerstone of our efforts to celebrate and promote AANHPI culture in Adams County and Colorado,” says Sara Moore, Executive Director of Colorado Dragon Boat. “There is a rich history of AANHPI communities in Adams County and we are excited to highlight our culture and stories with another unforgettable day of races, performances, and cultural exchange.”
A Day of Festivities: The 2024 regatta will offer an array of activities for everyone to enjoy:
- Dragon Boat Races: Cheer on over 15 teams at the stunning Mann-Nyholt Lake, set against the majestic Rocky Mountain backdrop. Experience the thrill as sleek, dragon-headed boats with vibrant colors and rhythmic drumming race across the water, bringing the spirit of Hong Kong-style dragon boating to life at Riverdale Regional Park.
- Cultural Performances: Come enjoy performances that showcase a variety of dance styles and cultural traditions from the AANHPI community that will captivate and inspire you. Local performers include The Humbuckers and Spirit of Cambodia.
- NEW THIS YEAR! Due to the popular demand for our cultural performances, we will be having two performances stages. Dragon Harmony Stage & Gateway to Asia Stage.
- Dragon Delights: Indulge in a variety of culinary delights with our many food trucks including The Captain Tacos and Sushi, Co.Co Cold Truck, Little Kusina, Kona Ice, Mukja, and The Rice Guy.
- Dragon Marketplace: Shop 'til you drop at our vibrant Dragon Marketplace, where local AANHPI and BIPOC vendors offer unique treasures and handcrafted goodies you won’t find anywhere else.
- Dragonland for Kids: Families young and old are welcome to experience our Dragonland area for kids & education, where education meets imagination. Kids can unleash their creativity with Angela's craft workshops and get their faces painted with colorful designs in the fun filled Dragonland area.
- NEW THIS YEAR! Dragon Brushstrokes: Live Art Spectacular. Come join our amazing local artist Ratha Sok and others as they do live art demonstrations onsite.
Riverdale Regional Park continues to serve as the year-round storage space for Colorado Dragon Boat’s boats. Mann-Nyholt Lake, a popular destination for dragon boat practices, is the heart of our efforts to promote AANHPI culture and diversity in the community.
For more details on our lineup of performers, vendors, food trucks, and dragon boat teams, please visit our website at cdbf.org.