A celebration of Asian culture since 2000, Charlotte Dragon Boat & Asian Festival returns to Ramsey Creek Park

By CLTure

May 1, 2024

The region’s largest celebration of the Asian community since 2000, Charlotte Dragon Boat & Asian Festival returns to Ramsey Creek Park on Saturday, May 11. Showcasing a vast spectrum of Asian cultures through music, food, performances, and the time-honored tradition of dragon boat races, the festival welcomes all throughout the Carolinas.

Here is everything you need to know about Charlotte Dragon Boat & Asian Festival taking place at Ramsey Creek Park on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food Vendors

Attendees will be able to enjoy traditional Asian cuisines from a variety of countries including Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, along with freshly pressed sugarcane juice and boba teas. Vendors will include Banh Mi Brothers, One19 North Main, Charlotte Pinoy Kitchenette, Pho Good Time, Manila Grill, and Taste of Nusantara.

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Festival is a holiday held annually on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, celebrated with races and Zongzi (sticky rice dumpling), originated over 2,300 years ago. The Charlotte Dragon Boat Race is a recreational competition, open to anyone 13 years of age or older, with each team consisting of 20 paddlers. You can learn more about the Dragon Boat races here.

Asian Festival Performing Arts

Providing a stage for a diverse range of Asian performing arts from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., a juried competition will feature several talented local/regional singers, dancers, and musicians, representing a multitude of countries. 

Martial Arts

In addition to the cultural performances, the festival will feature martial arts demos showcasing Japanese Kendo, Muay Thai boxing, and Korean Taekwondo.

Cultural Programming

An exhibit featuring over 14 Asian countries will display artifacts, national attire, games, calligraphy, and henna tattoos. Kids will be able to play “Passport to Asia,” a game where they can learn about all of the represented countries and get their passport stamped, winning a prize at the end of the tour.

The History of Charlotte Dragon Boat Race & Asian Festival 

The inaugural Asian Festival took place in 2000 at Marshall Park hosted by the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce. After moving to the Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) Atrium, the Asian Festival joined forces with the new Dragon Boat Festival in 2006 at Ramsey Creek Park. In each of the last three years, the free cultural community event has attracted over 7,000 visitors from all walks of life. The festival is organized by the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Charlotte Dragon Boat Association, and Visit Lake Norman.

Parking & Shuttle 

Parking and shuttle bus pick-up for the festival is located at 8900 Northpointe Executive Park Dr. The lot is open at 10 a.m. with a free shuttle service operating throughout the day, to and from the park. To expedite the shuttles and parking, drivers are encouraged to drop off and pick up passengers at the Ramsey Creek Park entrance gate, then park in the designated lot at 8900 Northpointe Executive Park Dr.

Event Schedule: 

10:00 a.m. – Opening of CAACC Tent
10:15 a.m. – Parade of Nations
11:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremony, Food Stands, Vendor Booths, Cultural Showcase, and Dragon Boat Race
11:30 a.m. – Kendo, Muay Thai Boxing, and Korean Tae Kwan Do Demos
12:00 p.m. – Search for the Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts
1:30 p.m. – Dragon Boat Race (Finals)
2:00 p.m. – Cultural Program
4:00 p.m. – Search for the Best Awards
4:30 p.m. – Dragon Boat Race Awards
4:55 p.m. – Closing Remarks

For more information and updates on Charlotte Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, follow Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Instagram.

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