Come and join us on June 8, 2013 @ Shelter 2, Philippe Park, Safety Harbor, FL (11 AM to 3 PM).
What is the Dragon Boat Festival?
Also known as Duanwu Festival and poets day, it is a festival in memory of a famous poet who lived in China. Celebrations include eating and drinking various foods and series of dragon boat races. Even outside of this holiday, dragon boats remain a popular sport in China, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival
The most popular belief behind the Dragon Bot Festival is that of a famous poet. The legend states that after being banished and exiled for opposing the alliance between his own king and the other state, he committed suicide by drowning himself on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Local people had paddled in the river to search for his body and to scare away the fish. There are many other theories throughout time that dictate the origin behind the dragon boat festival. Some theories include one about an advisor to the king who committed suicide in the river after the king ignored his advice which led to the demise of the king’s kingdom.
According to the most popular theory of the poet, after his suicide the local people had paddled into the river in search of his body and to scare away the fish. Overseas this celebration is celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. Although it is not an official public holiday in those countries.
For the official flyer, please click on the following link: