50 teams of Portlanders race dragon boats as part of Rose Festival

The Portland Rose Festival is wrapping up, with the annual Dragon Boat Races as one of the last events on Sunday.
Published: Jun. 9, 2024 at 10:48 PM PDT

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - The Portland Rose Festival is wrapping up, with the annual Dragon Boat Races as one of the last events on Sunday.

The races involve around 50 teams in multiple categories, competing in traditionally styled dragon boats from Taiwan.

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The Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade celebrates tradition, history and the many different cultures and communities of the city.

The tradition began 34 years ago with each race involving four teams competing by racing 500 meters - or about 0.3 miles - down the Willamette River in hopes of being the first to capture their flag at the bowl in the South Hawthorne Waterfront Park.

Today’s races were medal competitions with multiple winners announced at the awards ceremony that was held midday.

The Dragon Boat Races are presented annually by the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association.