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April 8, 2021

Message from Dragon Boat BC

Dragon Boat BC, the organizer of Vancouver’s iconic Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, discovered that CBC Radio broadcast an interview this morning where it was stated that the 2021 Dragon Boat Festival had been cancelled.

The Festival has not been cancelled. Dragon Boat BC is surprised that CBC did not verify the story’s accuracy with the organization or its spokespeople. Our last public statement left open the possibility that we would hold an event in September, subject to COVID’s development.

While the Festival’s races are challenging to organize within COVID restrictions, the races are one part of the event. Dragon Boat BC has been working to evolve the Festival’s cultural program in line with public health measures. This effort began in 2020 with its exhibit at BC Sports Hall of Fame. Dragon Boat BC is actively working to present the Festival’s cultural program in September 2021, and planned to announce Festival programming in June 2021. 

As soon as Dragon Boat BC heard that this incorrect statement was made, we contacted our partners to correct the misinformation. 

Dragon Boat BC’s work to transform the Festival is ongoing, and we look forward to announcing our Festival programming in a few months time.

About the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society

Community, culture and competition, all in one boat. The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (dba Dragon Boat BC) is the non-profit organizer of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival – the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club – Canada’s largest paddling club. The Society also produces a series of races, cultural programming, and community initiatives centred around the traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat. Through its All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes paddling experiences accessible regardless of any barriers to participation. 

Visit dragonboatbc.ca for more information, or like Dragon Boat BC on Facebook and Instagram. 

For more information, contact:

Dragon Boat BC Main Office
Email: info@dragonboatbc.ca
Please note that the office remains closed, and is only able to take questions via email.

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