Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race

About

The Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race, presented by the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association, is a cherished annual event celebrating friendship and cultural exchange between Portland, Oregon, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Held at South Hawthorne Waterfront Park, this traditional-style dragon boat race is a highlight of the Portland Rose Festival weekend, attracting around 50 teams competing in Women’s, Mixed, Open, and High School divisions. Each race features teams sprinting 500 meters down the Willamette River, culminating in an exciting flag-catching moment at the bowl in South Hawthorne Waterfront Park. With vibrant dragon boats from Taiwan, each crew comprises a caller, drummer, paddlers, flag catcher, and tiller, embodying a diverse mix of individuals united by their passion for dragon boat racing. Rooted in ancient Chinese folklore and spanning over six millennia, the festival symbolizes unity and strength, transcending cultural boundaries. As a proud fixture of the Portland Rose Festival, the Dragon Boat Race embodies the spirit of camaraderie, inclusivity, and tradition, inviting spectators to revel in a weekend of thrilling races, food vendors, and cultural festivities along the waterfront. content

Service area

Serves the business city