Summer is an exciting time to be in Nevada. There seems to always be something going on during this time of year. Branch out this year and challenge yourself to attend some events you haven’t before. A great place to start is the annual Dragon Boat Festival in Northern Nevada. It’s during this festival that a 2,500-year-old Chinese tradition is celebrated by hundreds and it’s an amazing sight to see! Keep reading to learn all about it.
There are all sorts of unique events to enjoy in Nevada this summer, but be sure to keep an eye out for the Northern Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival. It will take place on August 17th, 2019 and you don't want to miss it.
Located at the Sparks Marina, this will be the festival's third year. The festival is a massive celebration of the traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat racing right here in the Reno-Sparks region of Northern Nevada.
So, what exactly are dragon boats? They are 40-foot-long canoes ornately decorated with Chinese-style dragons, and they are completely human-powered. Each boat contains a team of 20 people who are paddling completely in sync with each other, all led by the rhythmic beat of a drum.
It's believed that dragon boat racing originated in southern central China more than 2,500 years ago. The sport may be ancient, but it's been taking the world by storm for the past few decades. In fact, it's considered the fastest growing water sport in the world.
The festival is completely free for spectators and open to the public. Races will be taking place all day, and you'll find that there's plenty to do during the down time. There will be many vendors, exhibitors, and food trucks in attendance for you to check out.
You can even take part in the races yourself if you're feeling up for it. Anybody and everybody can sign up to race and no experience is necessary. In fact, many of the racing teams are comprised of family and friends looking to have some fun together in the outdoors.
Surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and 80-acres of water, the festival is definitely a unique way to spend some time in Northern Nevada's amazing natural landscape. Whether you're a complete newcomer or a pro paddler, you're bound to have a blast. For more information, visit their website here.
Have you attended this unique festival before? It looks like an absolute blast so be sure to mark your calendars! For more things to add to your bucket list, check out this list of 16 Things To Do In Nevada This Summer.
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