PORT JEFFERSON, NY – On Saturday, September 14th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker and Legislator Kara Hahn joined elected officials, community organizations, and residents at the 6th Annual Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival hosted by the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce at the Mayor Jeanne Garant Port Jefferson Harbor Front Park.
Dragon boat racing is based on an ancient Chinese legend and is traditionally used as the basis for annual water rituals and festival celebrations, and for the traditional veneration of the Asian dragon water deity on the fifth day of the the fifth lunar month. After the races, it is customary to spend the remainder of the day observing street theater, traditional Chinese dance performances, martial arts and other cultural demonstrations. The chamber included traditional Chinese painting, origami, and other Asian arts and traditions as part of this year’s program.
“I would like to thank the Village of Port Jeff, the Port Jeff Chamber, and their sponsors for hosting this event and for bringing such a vibrant and rich tradition to the community,” said Legislator Anker.
This year’s Dragon Boat Race sponsors included: The Confucius Institute of Stony Brook; News 12 Long Island; Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Murphy’s Marine Service – Port Jefferson Sea Tow; New York Community-Roslyn Savings Division; Danfords Hotel, Marina and Spa & The Waterview; Island Federal Credit Union; Jet Sanitation; The Gitto Group; Times Beacon Record News Media; Peoples United Bank; PSEG Long Island; and Servpro of Port Jefferson.
For more information, please visit www.portjeffdragonboatracefest.com.
(Left to Right):Master of Ceremonies Susanne Velazquez, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Ransome, Port Jefferson Village Mayor Margot Garant, and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker.