On June 15th, Brush Creek at the Country Club Plaza will come alive with the International Dragon Boat Festival. “This family-friendly, free event features the only dragon boat racing competition held in a creek,” said Joan Pu, vice president of the Society for Friendship with China. “The races will take place from 10 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m., depending on the rowers’ pace,” she said. 

During this year’s event, festivalgoers can expect a cultural showcase that includes flash-mob style performances. One display of note will feature children from the Zhang Li “Lily Taylor” Dance Academy. “The troupe consists of many who were born in China and adopted by American families,” Joan said. In addition, Chinese culture will be demonstrated through martial arts and traditional Chinese clothing called qipao. 

Hungry revelers will enjoy savory and sweet treats served up by food trucks while perusing a variety of street-level tents featuring children’s activities and Chinese culture demonstrations. “We have about 10 tents with children’s activities, Chinese painting classes, and interactive activities for people to try,” Joan said.

The history of the Dragon Boat Festival spans 2,000 years. According to Joan, China’s original Dragon Boat Festival was inspired by the drowning of a beloved Chinese government official and poet. The patriot was the subject of an underhanded plot, which led to his exile. When he later learned the country had fallen into enemy hands, he was devastated and threw himself into the river. “The local people loved him very much,” Joan said. “It was a race against time to retrieve his body, but the river was slowly rising so they were not able to do that. They threw rice into the river so the fish would eat the rice instead of him.”

As a result, China’s Dragon Boat Festival features a race and a traditional meal of rice dumplings wrapped in leaves. While Our Town’s event won’t feature rice dumplings, it will feature an exciting race between students and faculty from UMKC, Kansas City Art Institute, The University of Kansas Medical Center, and Johnson County Community College, among others.

Though the Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient tradition in China, it is a relatively recent feature of Kansas City’s cultural calendar. In 2005, the celebration was introduced by Bob and Teresa Chien, founders of the Society for Friendship with China. “They came to Kansas City when they were young,” Joan said. “They raised their family here and had their own businesses. Bob Chien was involved in the Kansas City Community and was a member of the Rotary Club.”

Joan said the couple founded The Society for Friendship to promote Chinese culture and foster relationships between people in Kansas City and China. According to the organization’s website, these relationships center around trade, tourism, educational exchanges, and promoting understanding between the people of China and Kansas City. 

The local Dragon Boat Festival plays a role in meeting these goals. While attendance is free, boat race registration fees fund classroom equipment, computers, books, desks, and chairs for children in China. A portion of the proceeds also support Kansas City college students. 

In addition, the Society receives sponsorship from individuals and grants such as the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund to finance its philanthropic endeavors. Plans are also underway to develop a Chinese garden in Kansas City. 

In the meantime, Kansas Citians can enjoy its annual family-friendly event, the International Dragon Boat Festival, which brings people of all backgrounds together in a cultural exchange of fun and friendship. 

Featured in the May 4, 2024 issue of The Independent.
By Monica V. Reynolds