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Dragon Festival will be held on July 10-11 at Phalen Lake Park (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day).  Now in its thirteenth year, this two-day event showcases Asian cultures. The highlight of this annual family-oriented event is dragon boat racing, a 2,400 year old sporting tradition that originated in China. Dragon Festival will be held on July 10-11 at Phalen Lake Park (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day).  Now in its thirteenth year, this two-day event showcases Asian cultures. The highlight of this annual family-oriented event is dragon boat racing, a 2,400 year old sporting tradition that originated in China.

Dragon boat teams consist of 20 members: 18 paddlers, one flag catcher, and one drummer.  The boats are 40 feet long and have the head and tail of dragons.  Dragon boat racing has become popular around the world.  Teams will receive training and participate in practice sessions on Saturday and races will be held Sunday. 

The Festival also includes cultural dance and musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, supervised children craft activities and canoe rides.  Festival attendees also can sample the foods of local Asian restaurants and shop for arts and crafts items.

The Dragon Festival is free and open to the public. Parking on-site at the Dragon Festival is by permit only. There are three nearby parking lots with free parking and free shuttle running to and from the festival.

The free parking locations are at Metro Transit Station on Highway 61 & County Road C, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Building (1430 Maryland Ave E,
St Paul, MN 55106), and Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (1669 Arcade St,
St Paul, MN 55106).

Shuttles from the lots to the Dragon Festival run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information about the schedule of events at this year’s Dragon Festival, Festival map and maps to free parking, visit www.dragonfestival.org.