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Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival Returns

The annual Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival is back this Saturday.¹ Now in its 11th year, this free event will have boat races at Buffalo RiverWorks. It will also have a 50/50 draw, basket raffle, and things to buy. Plus, there will be food, drinks, and fun for the kids.¹ All money raised goes to help Hope Chest of Buffalo..

Key Takeaways

The Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival returns this Saturday, June 15, 2024.
The festival will be held at Buffalo RiverWorks from 7:45 AM to 5:00 PM.
Attendees can enjoy dragon boat races, a 50/50 drawing, a basket raffle, merchandise sales, and children's activities.
All proceeds from the festival will support the mission of Hope Chest of Buffalo.
The event is free for spectators and promises a fun-filled day for the whole community.

An Exciting Event for Breast Cancer Survivors and the Community

The Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event. It supports² Hope Chest, a nonprofit helping breast cancer survivors. This festival allows Hope Chest to collect funds for its work. It is also a fun event where survivors and the community come together through paddling.

Celebrating Hope and Unity through Dragon Boat Racing

The festival, in its 17th year, unites 10 teams of breast cancer survivors. They compete in the Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Races. Each team has 20 members, paddling in sync. There are 10 paddlers on each side, a steerer at the back, and a drummer at the front. Combined, they weigh over 3,000 pounds. These strong survivors practice all year at different clubs, showing their unity and spreading hope through this exciting sport.

Join the Fun-Filled Activities for the Whole Family

Besides the dragon boat races, the festival will also have a 50/50 drawing and a raffle. Additionally, there will be a merchandise sale and food and drinks. And don't forget the children's activities that will be there. Everyone is invited to this free event. It mixes joy, friendship, and a strong community spirit. All the money raised helps breast cancer survivors in Western New York.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7L4Rput9P4

Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival Returns This Saturday

The 2024 Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival returns to Buffalo RiverWorks. This spot is well-loved for its fun on the water, sports, music, and shows. Anyone in Western New York can join in for free. Festivities include dragon boat races, a 50/50 drawing, raffles, and buying cool stuff.¹ All the money raised goes to help Hope Chest of Buffalo.

A Free Festival at Buffalo RiverWorks

This event is at Buffalo RiverWorks, adding a beautiful background to the action. People can soak up the fun vibe and back the teams as they paddle down the river.

Dragon Boat Races, Raffles, and Merchandise Sales

The dragon boat races are the highlight, featuring teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steer person. It's an exciting 350-meter dash vying for victory.¹ Aside from the races, there's a chance to win big with a 50/50 draw. Pick from over 100 themed baskets in the raffle.¹ Plus, you can score some festival gear. And local music by Tim Britt will keep everyone entertained.¹

The Tradition of Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing comes from old Chinese traditions. The boats look like dragons, complete with a head and tail. The sides have scales, and the paddles are like dragon claws.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Competitions

Ancient dragon boat races are now exciting team sports. Anyone can join, even without experience. It's growing fast and might be in the Olympics soon.

Awakening the Dragon: A Ceremonial Prelude

To get things started, there's a special "Awakening the Dragon" event. In it, they paint the dragon's eyes red for luck. This is before the many races begin.

The festival isn't just about racing.

There are also sales, like dragon jewelry, and fun for kids. Plus, there are a lot of prizes to win in raffles. Musicians like Tim Britt are there too, making the day lively.

Honoring Resilience: The Carnation Ceremony

At the Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival, the Carnation Ceremony shines. It's a moving tribute to those who fought and couldn't beat breast cancer. In this poignant event, dragon boats carry survivors, showing their community's strength and unity.

When carnations fall into the water, survivors think deeply about their journey. They join forces against breast cancer. They live life fully, with vibrant gratitude.⁴ Each flower is a tribute, remembering those who are gone and cheering those still fighting. It shows their spirit of resilience and hope.

The Carnation Ceremony is a touching reminder. It highlights the strength and care that come from tough times.³ It's a time to look back, honor, and celebrate the unbreakable spirit of the breast cancer community.⁴

Conclusion

The Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival unites people every year. It celebrates the courage of breast cancer survivors.² This festival's 17th year showcases 10 teams of survivors in dragon boat races.

Each team has 20 women, a steer person, and a drummer. These women are paddling over 3,000 pounds through the water.

The event includes the dragon boat races and a special ceremony. It also offers family-friendly fun. All the activities aim to remember those affected by breast cancer and support survivors through the Hope Chest charity.⁵ The Buffalo River will have a safety zone on June 16, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.⁶ This zone restricts entry or anchoring unless given permission by the Captain of the Port Buffalo.⁶

The Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival is happening again soon. It's set for this coming Saturday and promises joy for everyone there.⁵ The Coast Guard decided on this rule less than 30 days before. They say it won't hurt the economy and doesn't need to follow Executive Order 13771.⁵

FAQ

When and where is the Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival taking place?

The Dragon Boat Festival happens this Saturday at Buffalo RiverWorks. It's a yearly event.

What activities and events will be part of the festival?

There will be dragon boat races at the festival. Plus, a 50/50 drawing, basket raffle, and a sale of items. You can also find food and drinks, and activities for kids.

What is the purpose of the Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival?

The Hope Chest Festival raises money for breast cancer survivors through a local nonprofit. All profits help support Hope Chest of Buffalo.

What is the significance of dragon boat racing?

Dragon boat racing has deep ties to Chinese culture. The boats look like dragons and a special ceremony kicks off the event. This ceremony calls on the dragon's spirit for the races.

What is the Carnation Ceremony?

In the Carnation Ceremony, survivors of breast cancer join in a special tribute. They release carnations into the water to honor those who passed and those still fighting.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival Returnss