I’ve wanted to make it out to Denver’s Dragon Boat Festival ever since I heard about it a few years ago, and when I finally made it I was not disappointed. The brochure said, “More than just a race: Your Weekend Passport to Asia and the Pacific”, and that’s truly the way it felt.
The Dragon Boat Festival is held at Sloan’s Lake, at Sheridan Blvd and W. 17th Ave. It was about a 10 minute drive from my home in Arvada. This year, it was July 25 and 26, and the focus was on Hawaii’s 50th anniversary of becoming our 50th state.
We got there in time for the opening ceremony – a parade of all the teams, led by a 75-foot dragon. Just beautiful! The parade was followed by the traditional Buddhist blessing and eye-dotting ceremony.
Watching the races was fun, and the lake was gorgeous. The boats looked fierce and colorful as they cut their way through the smooth water, encouraged by the steady beat of the drums.
And there was soooo much good food. It was hard to choose!
Even the marketplace was fun and interesting, offering items you don’t find at most festivals. My daughter and I each purchased a beautiful paper umbrella to shield ourselves from the intense Colorado summer sun.
But with all that, the Performing Arts Stage was a favorite spot. There was traditional music and dance from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand. For me, it’s the music that really takes me to a different place!
There was ‘Gateway to Asia’, with demonstrations such as egg roll making, lei-making, dance, and a wedding ceremony.
And we can’t leave the kids out, they enjoyed Dragonland with hands-on arts and crafts and face-painting.
I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the ‘flavor’ of our community, in case they’re new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver.
*Arvada, Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
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And if you're looking for someone to maybe help you buy or sell a home in the vicinity north of Denver, Colorado and you'd like to learn more about me, visit my website, DreamHouseHunting.com.
If at least a little info would be helpful, I've lived in Arvada since 1993, I've been a licensed, full-time real estate agent since 2001. You can read some past clients' testimonials on my website.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Joetta Fort, Broker Associate
Equity Colorado 