London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at London’s Regatta Centre on Sunday 25th June 2017.

The 22nd edition of the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (HKETO), which is the territory’s official representation in the United Kingdom.

Out on the water, 40 competing club, corporate and amateur teams battle it out throughout the day for 6 cups. The competition sees race teams of 16-20 people from absolute beginners to seasoned paddlers take part in 3 race heats, with dragon boats and drums provided.

On land, the event’s accompanying food festival represents the culinary tastes of South East Asia, with entertainment including live music on the East West Festival stage, showcasing new artists from the East and West, martial arts displays, and traditional Chinese lion dancing.

The free, family-friendly event is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors from across the UK and overseas.

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Europe’s most spectacular Dragon Boat Festival will include the following attractions:

·     7 hours of dragon boat races with trophies presented at 5.00pm

·     Food festival offering the flavours of South East Asia including breakfast serving from 08:30

·     Live music on the East West Festival stage showcasing new music and entertainment

·     Traditional Chinese lion dancing and cultural dance performances

·     Martial arts displays from YouTube sensation Master Wong

Appearing live on the East West Festival stage, presented by DJ Alice from Spectrum radio, are new and breaking musical talent and entertainers from all corners of the globe including BBC Introducing-[not sure what this means?]-supported indie pop band The Atmospherics, songwriter-based electronic duo Ooberfuse, and award-winning Brits School attendee, Chris Gadd . Also appearing will be YouTube sensation Master Wong, who with 1,115,000 Youtube subscribers, and over 150 million views on his channel, is one of the most recognised martial artists. Master Wong is known for being brutally honest and funny during some inspiring tutorials and demonstrations.

The food festival offers a taste of South East Asia, which this year includes delicious bao buns at the boss of Banh Mi, Bite Mi; Cà Phê VN Saigon Street Cafe – named as one of the best coffee shops in London and featuring the finest Vietnamese coffee outside of Ho Chi Minh, Mei Mei’s street Cart – the first Jianbing in the UK selling proper Chinese comfort food, Canaan Taiwan Xiao-chi – East London’s Taiwanese cuisine shop, pioneers of popcorn chicken and rice pudding cake in the UK, Newdlez Pad Thai – freshly fried Thai cuisine at its best, Pochi, Japanese street food, introducing Soboro style rice dishes; Lion City Kitchen brings the comforting flavours of modern Singaporean street food to London using free range meat and quality ingredients; Hanoi Kitchen – authentic Vietnamese food, Malaysian Kitchen Enak Enak, and Ajinomoto Foods Europe, Jerk Spice offering a Caribbean alternative with recipes passed down from generation to generation, Churros London – fried dough pastry sticks with chocolate dipping sauce, and handmade Italian ice creams from the vintage Surrey Ices truck.

Artisanal beverage company Fentimans will be hosting Fentimans Botanical Bar. Their award-winning drinks including famous ginger beer are handcrafted using the Fentiman family’s 100 years of knowledge of botanical brewing.

London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival forms part of a series of events organised or supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (HKETO) marking the anniversary of the creation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The HKETO’s mission is to promote and strengthen Hong Kong’s economic, trade and cultural links with the UK.

London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival provides an excellent opportunity to experience Chinese culture in the British capital. Organised by London Chinatown Lions Club, the fund-raising event donates proceeds to the club’s nominated charities, and is supported by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, London, The Hong Kong Executives Club and The Chinese Community Centre.

There is also a raffle draw with fantastic prizes including a pair of return flights to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific and dinner for two at Hutong at The Shard.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY:

8.30am Team Boat Registration

10am Racing Competition Starts

11pm Entertainment Commences

12.30pm pm Opening Speeches and Lion Eye-Dotting Ceremony

5.00pm Dragon Boat Racing Finals followed by Trophy Presentation

5.30pm Raffle Draw

6.00pm Close