Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, August 17, 2001

DRAGON BOATS RACE IN FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK

Traditional Chinese boat races, Columbian dance music, the Queens symphony orchestra, doo wop performers, and the New York Boys Choir were all part of the multicultural festival that the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races have become. In their 11th year, the races, held in Flushing Meadow Corona Park's Meadow Lake on Saturday, August 11, hosted more than 100 teams and 1,000 competitors.

The tradition of dragon boat races can be traced to the legend of the ancient poet Qu Yun who threw himself into the open water in political despair. He was so loved that local townspeople tried to lure carnivorous fish from his body by throwing rice dumplings into the water. Each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the dragon boat races are held. Competitors eat rice dumplings for strength, and when they dot the eyes of a dragon with red paint, the races begin. After the competition it is customary to enjoy street theater and music.

When Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern joined Festival Chairman Henry Wan; Richard (Ricardo) Murphy, Queens Borough Commissioner; and Estelle (Unisphere) Cooper, Assistant Commissioner for Queens Parks at the opening ceremony, he remarked, "The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is a great event for a New York City park because it has grown from a tradition rooted in one country to a multicultural festival that embraces an international array of tastes and sounds. As Parkies, we love to host the best parties in town, and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival ranks among the most fun."

PARKIES PAY THEIR CONDOLENCES
TO MARIA (PASSIFLORA) POSADA-HABERMANN

Deputy Director of North Manhattan Parks, Maria (Passiflora) Posada-Habermann's husband George Habermann died on Monday, August 13. People who wish to pay their condolences may visit Maria this Monday, August 20 at her home between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. For information please contact Jane Schachat at (212) 795-1388. An education fund has been established for Maria's three-year-old daughter, Anna.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Friday, August 19, 1988)

CENTRAL PARK SEA LIONS HAVE UNEXPECTED VISIT

A man who took an after-hours swim with the Central Park Zoo sea lions and a thief who took advantage of the commotion were both arrested yesterday, thanks to several Parkies.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Our father's and ourselves sowed dragon's teeth."

Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943)