Experience the many traditions of Asian culture in the beauty of Lake Phalen and Lake Phalen Regional Park setting in St. Paul the second weekend of July.
Dragon boat racing begins at 1 p.m. each day, with team practices in the mornings (currently, 14 teams have registered for Saturday and 12 teams for Sunday). Teams may still join through July 1.
An inspiring lion dance performance will kick off the fun. Saturday morning Also enjoy an entertaining cultural array of musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, food trucks and outdoor food court. Many special children activities including a visit from the Minnesota Zoo’s petting zoo.
Saturday also commemorates the grand opening of the St. Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden of Whispering Willows and Flowing Waters at Phalen Park (also known as Liu Ming Yuan). Starting at 10:30 a.m., a ribbon cutting by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and a delegation from St. Paul sister city Changsha will be followed by cultural performances and family-friendly activities including calligraphy, Chinese painting and more.
Special thanks to Dragon Festival sponsors and their support to make this community festival free and open to the public. Jade sponsors: Mystic Lake, Wells Fargo. Gold sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Bronze sponsors: Excel Energy, State Farm.
Please visit dragonfestival.org for more information about the 2019 Dragon Festival event, location, parking and boat races.