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Photo courtesy Steveston Historical Society
Our City Richmond
By Michael Cooper and Florence Gordon
Published 12:37 PDT, Fri August 2, 2024
Summer things to do
14th Annual Steveston Dragon Boat Festival
The 2024 Richmond Dragon Boat Festival is held on Aug. 24, the only dragon boat festival in Richmond. The festival will have live music, food vendors, and entertainment. The festival requires a minimum $10 donation that goes towards the Richmond Foodbank. Over 2,000 paddlers will participate in three 500m races. Eighteen new boats will be used throughout the race and have been taken to high-level international competitions around the world.
The tradition of dragon boating, dates back over 2000 years originating in southern China as a folk ritual. Then later became an international sport in 1976, and has now become the fastest growing watersport to date. The first dragon boat festival to take place in Canada was at the 1986 Expo from then on, the country has come to appreciate the sport. So much so, that the two largest dragon boat festivals outside of Asia take place in Vancouver and Toronto.
The Dragon Boat Festival will host a marketplace, and beverage services sites along with multiple stage performances from the: Coastal Wolf Pack, Sun Moon Lake Trio, Rachel Carino, Bright Futures, and Luc LeMans. Community exhibits include: BC Lions, BC Responsible Gaming, Cartoon Katie, Earth Ventures, Fresh Prep, Funky Pants Canada, Georgia Strait Alliance, Norwex, Silver FX, Telus, Voxlife, and Wireless Wave.
The Dragon Boat Festival will also feature nine local artists creating an art piece representing the culture and spirit of the community in the event. These artworks help maintain the bond between culture and competition. Indigenous artist Debra Sparrow created an art piece representing the spirit of the festival. “I am always honored to be asked to bring the beauty of our creative process forward and collaborate with different cultures. Creating designs to apply to the dragon boat, came to mind the ways in which cultures use the water,” says Sparrow.
Steveston Alive! Walking Tour Vignettes
Returns this summer with the addition of two new vignettes. Join our costumed narrator and actors as we travel back in time to the year 1917 on this historical walking tour through the streets of Steveston to witness life in Steveston's early days. The talented drama students from Steveston-London Secondary school bring history to life in front of your eyes. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself and your summer visitors in the culture and history of our charming village. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Steveston Historical Society members
To book your ticket call 604-271-6868 and mention you’re an Steveston Historical Society member. One free ticket per paid membership, additional tickets are $7 each. Tour dates: Saturdays, Aug. 10 and 17 at 1 and 3 p.m.
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