Buffalo Niagara
Dragon Boat Festival®
See the majestic sport of Dragon Boat Racing at the Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival. Join us for a day of dragon boat racing and fun-filled activities for the whole family.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, dragon boating is a boat of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steer person. It is a team sport that requires power, speed, synchronization, and endurance.
No experience is needed to join in the Dragon Boat Festival. We will teach you how to paddle!
Teams represent local Western New York corporations, breast cancer survivors, police, firefighters, and other community organizations.
With its beginnings in Southern China, dragon boating today is the fastest growing international team water sport and soon to be an Olympic event. Race festivals are held year-round at numerous locations around the world and now proudly in Buffalo, New York.
Date & Location
The Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival® will once again be held at Buffalo RiverWorks. The venue has spectacular waterfront views and abundant viewing areas, vendors, and a large concession area.
When:
Saturday June 14, 2025
Time:
7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Where:
Buffalo RiverWorks
359 Ganson Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
2024 Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival® Event Day Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8:00 AM | Registration |
| 7:45 AM | Team Captains Meeting – Mandatory |
| 8:00 AM | Welcome – Awaking of the Dragon |
| 8:15 AM | 1st Teams to Marshaling Area |
| 8:45 AM | Races Begin |
| 9:00 AM | Team Costume Pictures |
| 9:00 AM | Deadline for submission of T-Shirts to Registration Area |
| 10:00 AM | Judging of T-Shirts and Costumes |
| 10:42 AM | Breast Cancer Races |
| 11:00 AM | Carnation Ceremony |
| 11:30 AM | Hope Chest Presentation |
| 11:45 AM | Lunch |
| 12:30 PM | Racing Resumes |
| 1:30 PM | Basket Raffle Sales Close – 50/50 Winner Announced |
| 2:00 PM | Basket Raffle Winners Posted |
| TBD | Championship Races – Presentation of Medals, Contest Winners and Photos of Medal Winner |
All times are approximate and are subject to change.
Thank You for your support of HOPE CHEST.
Racing
Race Divisions:
Corporate/Community Mixed*
Breast Cancer Survivor
*Mixed teams must be comprised of eight (8) women.
Race Distances:
Corporate/Community Qualifying Round, Semis & Finals - 350m
Race Formats:
All crews will race to qualify for the semifinal round - 350m distance
Top 8 crews advance to the A division, next 8 to the B division and so on
In each divisional semi-final, the winner and 2nd place team advance to the divisional championship final. 3rd and 4th place finishers advance to the consolation final.
A 200m loop race for the top 8 seeded crews will be scheduled at the end of the day.
Awaken the Dragon
Although the sport of Dragon Boat Racing has been modernized, the roots are firmly planted in the ancient rituals of China. The boats are designed to resemble dragons. The bow is crafted as a dragon head while the stern resembles the tail. The hull is painted with scales and the paddles symbolically represent the claws.
Awakening the Dragon is a traditional ceremony for dotting the bulging eyes of the carved dragon head attached to the boat, ending its slumber and re-energizing its spirit or qi (pronounced chee). At festivals today, a brush dipped in red paint is touched on the eyes of a dragon boat head to bring to life the creature’s bold spirit for hearty racing.
Carnation Ceremony
The Carnation Ceremony is the highlight of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is a moving tribute to those who have lost their battle to breast cancer.
During the carnation ceremony, dragon boats filled with breast cancer survivors are joined together on the water to show strength in unity. As carnations are gently released into the water, survivors reflect with gratitude on how they have bonded together to combat breast cancer and live active, rewarding lives. Each carnation honors those who are no longer with us - friends, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, sisters, and partners.
Children’s Area
A Happy Child at the 2019 Dragon Boat Festival!
A very popular spot at the Hope Chest Dragon Boat Festival is the Children’s Area! Face painting, crafts, and activities for children are offered by Hope Chest to keep children entertained and happy!
Vendor Booths
Vendors are located in the center atrium inside RiverWorks and will be available from 8am to 4pm. Click button below to see a list of vendors available during the festival.
Merchandise Sales
Don’t forget to purchase a Hope Chest keepsake. T-shirts, dragon inspired jewelry, housewares, and handmade items will be available for sale.
Basket and 50/50 Raffle
Basket Raffle:
Hope Chest has been the fortunate recipient of many valuable donations!
Our very popular Basket Raffle grows each year in the quantity and quality of baskets offered. This is one of the most popular stops for participants and spectators alike with over 100 themed baskets. The basket raffle begins at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m. Winning numbers are posted at the event at 2:00 p.m., a text message is sent to each winner, and winning numbers are posted on our website and Facebook page. If you are unable to stay to collect a winning basket on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, alternative arrangements are made for basket pickup during the following week.
50/50 Raffle:
50/50 Raffle Tickets are available for purchase at the Registration Tent and throughout the Venue. We have one drawing this year. The winner will be announced at 1:30 pm. YOU DO NOT need to be present to win.
Entertainment
Popular local musician, Tim Britt, has taken Buffalo by storm. With an engaging personality and a broad range of vocals, he entertains audiences throughout Western New York. Tim is a good friend of Hope Chest, and each year offers his talents to the Dragon Boat Festival by providing video support and event background music entertainment.
