Rowers compete in one of the day's dragon boat heats Saturday at Ramsey Creek Park. See a gallery of images below. (David B. Schlosser photo)

By DAVID B. SCHLOSSER
DavidsonNews.net

Thousands of people, including multi-generational families from across the region and around the world, converged on Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius Saturday for the 10th annual Asian Festival and 4th Annual Dragon Boat Festival.

Speaking dozens of languages and accents while defying intermittent showers, and at least one drenching downpour, they watched 31 dragon boat teams compete in multiple races. Another contest featured 14 women from 11 countries and cultures competing for the title of Ms. Asian Festival.

“The festival celebrates Asian cultures and is an opportunity for the Asian community as a whole to open our doors to the entire community,” said Dr. John Chen, who organized the first festival. “The festival allows the Asian community to thank our neighbors for all they’ve done for us since we arrived.”

Children played with both soccer balls and basketballs, demonstrating  the global reach of both sports. In addition to the waterfront park’s amenities, attendees also took advantage of Asian-themed vendors and traditional Asian and American food.

GROWING POPULATION

The Asian Festival is designed to highlight the diversity of Asian culture and heritage in the region. Since the 1960s, when fewer than 200 Asians made their homes in the Charlotte area, the region’s Asian population has grown to nearly 40,000  representing 15 countries. Nearly 60 percent claim Indian or Vietnamese heritage.

The event regularly attracts between 6,000 and 8,000. It has changed both location and time as its popularity has increased and organizers added the dragon boat competition in 2006.

Dragon boat racing dates back 2,300 years, with a heritage based on the rivers of southern China and on traditional Chinese water symbology of the dragon. It is now the fastest growing water sport in the world.

Charlotte’s dragon boat race has grown steadily from the original 18 teams to 31. This year’s teams represented companies, clubs and interest groups, and non-profit organizations. Each team consists of 20 paddlers, of whom eight must be female, a drummer to help the paddlers keep pace, and alternate members.

Recent UNC-Charlotte graduate Rachel Werz attended the festival as a volunteer for Charlotte’s International House. “International House is a non-profit that serves Charlotte’s international community,” she said. “I wanted to support our dragon boat team, and the races and food were great.”

The Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) organized this year’s event with Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation and Charlotte Dragon Boat Association. CAACC fosters cooperation and interaction within Asian communities and between those communities and the Carolinas.

Since 1992, May has marked the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, which began in 1978 as Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May.

10th Annual Asian Festival and 4th Annual Dragon Boat Festival Gallery