Ottawa Dragon Boat festival facts for kids
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a super exciting event held every year in Ottawa, which is the National Capital of Canada. It's a huge celebration that brings together people from all over to watch thrilling dragon boat races and enjoy lots of other fun activities.
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What is the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival?
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest dragon boat festivals in North America! It's a four-day event filled with energy and excitement. Imagine long, colorful boats, shaped like dragons, racing across the water with teams paddling as fast as they can. In 2019, over 200 teams competed, showing just how popular this festival is.
A Look Back: How It Started
The festival first began in 1993. It was created to celebrate the ancient tradition of dragon boat racing, which comes from China. Over the years, it has grown from a small local event into a massive international festival. It's now a highlight of Ottawa's summer calendar!
What Can You Do at the Festival?
One of the best things about the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is that it offers free admission to so many cool things! You can enjoy:
- Live concerts with awesome bands.
- Fun amusement attractions and rides.
- Exciting sports demonstrations.
- Marketplaces where you can find unique items from artisans and exhibitors.
- Delicious culinary treats and snacks.
- A special children's area with activities just for kids.
- And, of course, non-stop dragon boat racing action!
It's a fantastic way to spend a summer weekend with friends and family, enjoying the lively atmosphere and cheering on the teams.
How the Festival is Supported
Putting on such a big event takes a lot of help! The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival gets support from programs like Celebrate Ontario and the City of Ottawa's Partnership Program. This help makes sure that the festival can continue to be free and fun for everyone who wants to visit.
