Last time I went to Dragon Boat Races I was in Taiwan. I had some chance to watch them, but was also a participant. It was fun to attend the races again and be a spectator. I did forgot how hot it got though. Hearing the drum beat as the the participants on the boat tried to paddle in unison was a lot of fun. The festival is commemorates the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. It traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese calendar, which was June 8th this year and we were lucky enough to be here. The Chinese traditionally prepare and "zongzi", (the z's are pronounced like ts as in "cats") a pyramid- shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, and racing dragon boats. I have had them in past and recommend trying them, but wouldn't eat them regularly. The wikipedia article in the link attached does an excellent job of explaining the history the boat and the race: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonboat What I found really fascinating is the history in Chinese culture and the stories. It is said, the poet, Qu Yuan, The poet is said to have committed suicide by wading into the river with a rock. The people, devastated tried to save him in their boats. They beat drums and paddles to scare away fish and evil spirits (sounds like the dragon boats). They dropped in rice and dumplings to prevent the fish from eating the body (possibly one the reasons the traditional food, zong zi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonboat What I found really fascinating is the history in Chinese culture and the stories. It is said, the poet, Qu Yuan, The poet is said to have committed suicide by wading into the river with a rock. The people, devastated tried to save him in their boats. They beat drums and paddles to scare away fish and evil spirits (sounds like the dragon boats). They dropped in rice and dumplings to prevent the fish from eating the body (possibly one the reasons the traditional food, zong zi. 
