Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival

Great Fun!!! Just returned from the Dragon Boat Race. Gorgeous day, great food and entertainment, exciting races and an absolutely wonderful sense of community. There is some thing for everyone and the festival site is beautiful. Enjoy!!!

Last year was great and this year should be even better

What a fantastic inaugural event! Port Jefferson can really throw a party! You could not ask for such perfect weather in a picturesque seaside town, plus the water was warm and with plenty of excited energy in the air. The festivities started with the introductions of the local officials, a monk to bless the fleet and the eye dotting ceremony to «awaken the dragon».
Each team had their encampments along the shore with their tents, banners and brightly colored uniforms. From then on, the teams were on the water all day for some intense competition, paddling their butts off. The boats out on the water were a fair distance away and were hard to track, but each boat came back to a rousing round of cheers!
The festival would not be complete without some great food from vendors serving some tasty Asian dishes. Potstickers, teriyaki chicken bowls & spicy pork skewers were some of the stolen bites I got from my wife. But I was racing, so I couldn’t load up on food or I would’ve chummed the bay.
Entertainment was provided all day by local dance & choral groups, and a lion dance demonstration by a martial arts troop. The highlight was Hsu-​nami, a erhu band that rocked the stage! We didn’t win a medal, but it was an exhausting and exhilarating day! Can’t wait for next year.