CHINATOWN — Thousands of people are expected to show up for the 16th Annual Dragon Boat Race for Literacy and watch beautifully decorated, dragon-themed boats race down the Chicago River.
Set for an 8 a.m. launch on June 25 at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 W. 19th St., the fundraiser will include 30 teams built by local companies and organizations. The 20-member teams — 18 paddlers, one flag catcher and one drummer — will race in ornately decorated dragon boats.
The race works like this: Each equipped with an oar, the 18 paddlers row to the beat of the drummer. It's the flag catcher's job to pull a flag bobbing in the water at the finish line. The top two winning teams later race in a championship.
The teams raise money to enter the race, and all their proceeds will go to local literacy groups.
Hosted by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, the Chinatown Community Foundation and many other city institutions, the event will feature kids' activities and music.
Visitors should take public transportation, because public parking will be limited. You can access Chinatown using the CTA Red Line and Chicago Water Taxi.
For more information, contact the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at 312-326-5320 or visit www.chicagochinatown.org.
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