New to Canada

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Toronto is bustling with excitement. Centre Island is hosting the 23rd annual Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (TIDBRF) on June 24th-25th and there is still time to witness this exhilarating event.

What is it?
Dragon boat is a paddling sport that originated in China over 2000 years ago and continues to be a popular water sport today. It is comprised of a team of twenty paddlers, one drummer, and one steersman in a long and narrow, canoe-style boat adorned with a dragon head and tail.

                         (Photo of: Community team OMG Ponies racing)

Where did it come from?
The origin of the festival comes from the pre-imperial Warring states period of 475-221 BC, when an ancient Chinese statesman, Qu Yuan, committed a ritual suicide in the Miluo River. The village people attempted to save Qu Yuan by beating drums and splashing water with their paddles as a way to keep the fish and evil spirits away from the body. In commemoration of Qu Yuan, people in China hold dragon boat races on the day of his death, the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar.

If you are interested in the history of dragon boat, have a look at these books from our catalogue: 

What is so special about the festival?
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is an annual non-profit festival that strives to promote the spirit of multiculturalism in Canada as well as share the tradition of dragon boat racing with Canada’s diverse communities. The two-day event is also full of music, dancing, food, games, and other activities to keep everyone entertained!

       
       (Photo Credit: TIDBRF Photo Gallery)

Visit the Island on Sunday June 25th to watch the gripping and intense final races and cheer for one of your favourite teams, such as the one listed below!

(Photo of team OMG Ponies, a group of recent graduates, young professionals, and adrenaline-driven individuals! Also known as my team, come and cheer us on at the festival!)

How do I get there?
To get to Centre Island, you must take a ferry from the Ferrydocks located at 9 Queen’s Quay West (south of Queen’s Quay between Yonge Street and Bay Street) The round trip cost of the ferry ride is:

$6.50 CDN for an adult
$4.00 CDN for seniors aged 65 and up
$4.00 CDN for students aged 15-19
$3.00 CDN for juniors aged 14 and under
free for infants 2 years of age

This ferry charge is for the entire day at the island.