Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival to Take Place 3-5 July 2015

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, one of the most exciting and colourful summer events in Asia, will be held from 3 to 5 July 2015.

The carnival features two key programmes, namely the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, which will take place in Victoria Harbour, and the San Miguel BeerFest at the UC Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui.

Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA) Chairman, Dr Raymond Ma, said, “The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are world-renowned and attract professional dragon boat teams from around the world every year. The event began as the very first modern dragon boat races in the world and today is among the top dragon-boat competitions in the world, strictly following international race guidelines. This year, around 410 teams, made up of 4,000 paddlers from 13 countries and regions, will vie for 23 championship titles. The HKCDBA would like to thank all the overseas and local teams for their enthusiastic participation and support, which is hugely important for the promotion of the dragon boat culture.”

This year, China Construction Bank (Asia) is once again the title sponsor of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, recognised as an “M” Mark Event by the Major Sports Events Committee.

Chief Executive Officer of China Construction Bank (Asia) Mr Mao Yumin said, “CCB (Asia) is very honoured to title-sponsor the ‘CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races’. To make this mega event even more meaningful, we are organising a ‘Row for Charity’ event from 3-5 July 2015 to give members of the public a chance to enjoy the fun of rowing on land. We will donate matching funds which correspond to the total distance completed by participants to the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK), which promotes arts projects by disabled artists, helping them unleash their talent into full play without limitations. Following our co-operation with the ADAHK last year, CCB (Asia) appointed ADAHK artists again this year to design a distinctive dragon boat of 11 metres in length and eight mega paddles display of three metresin height. The artworks will be exhibited at the East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Come and visit them, and take your picture with the boat and giant paddles!”

The racecourse of the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will be in Victoria Harbour, approximately between the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong and Wing On Plaza.

In addition to regular races in various championships and the International Breast Cancer Survivor Championship, there will be a fun-filled “Tug of War Fun Race” and the “Fancy Dress Race” on 5 July.

New programmes will also appear at the San Miguel BeerFest at the UC Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui. Visitors can cool down with not just chilled beer, but also beer-flavoured liquid nitrogen ice-cream.

San Miguel is also setting up a 3D Photo Zone for visitors to take photos and relive memories of the neon sign-filled streets, traditional grocery stores and other sights of old Hong Kong.

For more vigorous entertainment, participants can enjoy live performances by a line-up of singers and bands, including Ella@S.H.E., RubberBand, LMF, Supper Moment, Kandy Wong and Yo Yo Sham, or take part in the San Miguel Dry-Land Dragon Boat Challenge and beer-drinking competitions.