The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO-Boston) and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council co-hosted the 2019 Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival on September 7 along the Pawtucket River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. More than 10,000 people turned out for the annual event, now in its 20th year. Director-General Douglas Hsu and Rhode Island Lt. Governor Daniel McKee co-hosted an eye-dotting ceremony for the new dragon boats. People also enjoyed Dragon Boat Races, Dumpling Eating Contests, traditional Chinese arts and crafts, and exciting performances.
During opening remarks, Director-General Douglas Y.T. Hsu of TECO-Boston noted that the 2019 Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival marks the 20th anniversary of the event. He expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), Johnson Health Tech, Crystal Windows & Door Systems, Ltd, STUF United Fund, the Brookline Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of New England, and the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of North America for sponsoring the dragon boats. Mr. Hsu also thanked China Airlines, Eva Air, Eink, and Rhode Island government officials for their support over the years that has made the event such a success.
Thirty-one teams from North America competed in the dragon boat races for the top prize of $5,000 this year, including the RI state government team, led by Lt. Governor Daniel McKee, and the first Taiwanese dragon boat team “Boston Taiwanese Boat Club (BTBC),” comprised of members from the Taiwanese community and Taiwanese students. The CYPE team won the grand prize $5,000, while BTBC won the second prize $2,000.
The Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival now mark 20th years and have become a much anticipated annual cultural event in Rhode Island. This year, the Taiwan government and private enterprises donated six new dragon boats, symbolizing the close friendship between Taiwan and the U.S.
