The public is invited to attend the opening ceremonies for the international tournament at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, September 12
Georgia’s Lake Lanier Olympic Park (LLOP) is hosting the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championships, September 13-16, with the opening ceremonies taking place September 12 at 5 p.m. The fiery evening will be fit for the United States’ inaugural hosting of the international tournament. 1,500 athletes from over 25 countries–including the U.S., France, Germany, China, Japan and Italy–will gather to compete in traditional canoes, adorned with dragon’s heads and tails, over the four days of competition.
The headliner for the Opening Ceremony is none other than the multiple award- winning, multi-talented singer/actor/pianist, Craig A. Meyer. Meyer is perhaps best known for his star role in”Remember When Rock Was Young: The Elton John Tribute.” Craig captures the music, costumes and charisma of Sir Elton John.
“Craig is one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. He can do ANYTHING!” says Barry Manilow.
Today, Meyer, whose strong vocals and piano skills dazzle audiences both here and abroad, is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the world. This spectacular theatrical experience is a musical journey celebrating the decades of chart-topping hits of Sir Elton John.
Other happenings throughout the evening will include ceremonial elements such as the Parade of Athletes, Pan-Asian dances and a variety of cultural entertainment. Food trucks will serve Chinese dishes and other cultural cuisines. Beer and wine will be flowing and available for purchase.
The next day, it’s off to the races as the dragon boats hit Lake Lanier Olympic Park’s prized flat waterway. There are two standard sized boats–one holds twenty paddlers, a steersman and a drummer, the other holds ten paddlers, a steersman and a drummer. With its’ over 2,000-year-old roots in Chinese lore, Dragon Boat racing is now a global phenomenon, with an estimated 72.5 million people paddling these crafts around the world, with a 22% increase in participation each year.
Team USA will have multiple teams participating in the world tournament. Around 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the races at Lake Lanier Olympic Park and the estimated economic impact to the Gainesville area is predicted to be five million dollars.
Origin of Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat Races date back 2,000 years and have origins in an ancient Chinese legend. As the story goes, there was a well-loved patriot poet named Qu Yuan who lived during the 4th century B.C. Although loved by the people, corrupt court officials banished Yuam. Unable to cope with his sorrow, Yuam drowned himself in the Mi Lo River. Local fishermen raced out in their boats in attempt to save him but arrived too late. In order to lure fish away from the body, they beat the water with their paddles and tossed rice dumplings into the river. The dragon boat races are a re-enactment of the attempt to save Qu Yuan and have become a major part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group integrity.