Second annual AAPI fest welcomed back dragon boat races

From Staff Reports

Dallas hosted its second Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival, with crowds enjoying food and performances and cheering on the races at White Rock Lake.

More than a dozen dragon boat teams took to the water at Dallas’ Bath House Bath House Cultural Center on May 18. Meanwhile, festival attendees took in sights and sounds ranging from Tahitian dance to K-pop beats, and the tastes of Thai street food, boba and more. 

Dallas United Crew’s Delite dragon boat team, based at White Rock, and the North Texas chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals presented the event along with the Community Arts Division of the City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture, Dallas Park & Recreation, the Dallas Police Department and the Asian American Association of City Employees. 

“This festival is more than a celebration — it’s a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty found in unity,” said representatives from the organizing committee. “Whether [people came] for the races, the food or the culture, [they left] with a deeper appreciation for the AAPI community’s vibrant legacy.”

ACTIVE Network, a Metroplex company offering software and technology platforms to help event organizers, was the gold sponsor of the dragon boat races. 

“We believe in the power of community events to bring people together, create understanding and celebrate the diverse cultures that enrich our lives,” the company said in a statement. 

“The AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant expression of this diversity. By sponsoring the AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival, ACTIVE Network aims to contribute positively to the cultural fabric of Dallas and to honor the AAPI community’s integral role in shaping the social cultural landscape of our city.”

McDonald’s was the silver sponsor.

Dragon boating carries on a tradition that began in China more than 2,000 years ago and has evolved into the ultimate team sport, as 20 people paddle in sync down the race course. 

To try dragon boating, join Delite for an open house Sunday, June 22 from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the DUC boathouse, 417 E. Lawther Dr., in Dallas. 

For more information visit meetup.com/dallasdragonboat/.