Witness the upcoming boat race and celebrate Taiwan Day Festival right here in RI!
Every September for 25 years, the Pawtucket River has come alive with a jamboree of celebration and unity. Local organization Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC) honors not only the Asian communities here in Rhode Island, but connects us to cultures and stories across the globe through the medium of Dragon Boat Races. The story has humble beginnings: Initially, the hallmark dragon boats were individual “pay-to-ride” attractions, not the icons they are today. Now, local teams from RI and Massachusetts gather to battle it out on the riverfront in an intense display of skill and coordination, which includes an element of strategic flag-catching on the way to the finish line.
Many of these teams actually sprouted in conjunction with the event’s growth. BVTC Executive Director James Toomey expands on this, saying the races have “become much more of a cultural piece” than was ever anticipated. The first participants were the odd community groups and organizations – today, there are professional teams who represent RI far and wide in races like these. One example is the Ocean State Dragon Boat Club, whose website reveals that they are top-ranking nationwide. The event itself is free to attend, inviting many to engage in the late summer leisure, support the RI teams, and understand the broader cultures and context from which this tradition originated.
Beyond athletic display, this event has an impressive commitment to authenticity. Organizers work directly with the Chinese community here in Rhode Island, and with diplomats from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. The boats themselves were made in Taiwan and shipped over in what Toomey calls a “gesture of goodwill,” a kind of thank-you for helping to share their nation’s story. Asian food vendors from across Rhode Island are invited to cater the festival. This year will feature boba tea, pad thai, Korean rice bowls, and more. Besides the race, entertainment will include lion dancers and a Grammy-nominated Taiwanese musical ensemble the Ten Drum Art Percussion Group. The Group actually first played at this festival about twenty years ago, making their appearance even more significant.
Audiences should also look out for the dumpling eating contest, a unique spectacle that everyone enjoys. When asked if he knew of a record amount eaten, Toomey laughed and said he couldn’t give an exact number, but “it’s a wild experience… probably around seventy or so.” Attendees can sign up on the day of for a fee of twenty dollars. However, it’s not just about who can eat the most dumplings. Sharing food is one of the biggest ways to share culture and happiness, and it’s common to associate communal eating with holidays and celebrations like this one. There will also be crafts and other activities for children, making this a fun and family-friendly occasion.
The event’s influence stretches far beyond a day of relaxation and bonding. Toomey identifies how much more developed the riverfront has become, saying that when the event began it was “a dirt lot, then it moved up to crushed shells… [it is now] a beautifully designed, paved event space” that we know as Festival Pier in Pawtucket. This has opened the door for other organizations to stage events in the area, like the Latino Summer Fest. Locals are hopeful that developments along the river will continue, especially with the support of the Rhode Island FC stadium, a noted sponsor of this event. The Pawtucket Foundation has proposed plans including, but not limited to, a pedestrian bridge, more mixed use housing, and green spaces for the public.
It’s also important to recognize the work that has been put into connecting people who otherwise might not have crossed paths. The event was forced to pause for a few years while the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the world; the same years that hate and racism directed towards Asian people strikingly increased. The staff at BVTCRI called themselves “honored” and “grateful” to have a small part in shaping a narrative of cultural exchange and promoting diversity in the local community. It’s more important than ever that unity be emphasized and stigma denounced. RI should be a place where all are welcome, and events like this are wonderful contributors to that cause.
This event will take place on September 5 from 8:30am to 3:30pm at the Festival Pier in Pawtucket, hosted by BVTCRI. The Council can be reached at (401) 724-2200 with any inquiries, or found at bvtcri.org. Donations are welcome to make more events like this possible!
Genevieve Carcano holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies and Creative Writing; her hobbies include photography, thrifting, and trawling around trying new coffee shops.