Dragon Boat Festival in NYC: New York celebrates Chinese traditional festival with races and food

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The 27th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York has just wrapped up after two days of fun. Let's get more from CGTN's John Terrett.

Here he comes now. This dragon's about to have his eyes painted in. The traditional start of festivities here at Corona Park, Flushing Meadows, Queens. Henry Wan's in charge of the smooth running of the event - the twenty seventh of its kind here in New York.

HENRY WAN FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN "It is both a sporting event and a cultural event. There's very few events that have that combination and people enjoy this." And let's not forget the food Plenty of folks watching the colorful boats and chowing down at the same time.

JOHN TERRETT NEW YORK "All of this Dragon Boat racing is taking place in the shadow of what was once known as the World's Fair that took place here in the 1960s. So this is a global park and this is a global event." More than two hundred teams are taking part - some are semi-professional, others weekend warriors - all out for the fun - but all fiercely competitive.

"Congratulations, did you win "

"Almost, almost." "We came second!"

"What is it like being in one of these Dragon Boats "

"I think it's very interesting that it's not about how good you are but how well you work as a team."

"What's do you like about Dragon Boat racing."

"Oh I like the culture of racing, the Chinese style of rowing boats, team spirit is the main thing."

It's said Dragon Boat racing goes back over two thousand years and honors a Chinese poet and patriot, Qu Yuan, who drowned - The locals were so upset - they took to boats beating the water with paddles and throwing in food - to stop fish from eating his body.

JOHN TERRETT NEW YORK "All the Dragon boats have these really beautiful dragon heads and tail on the front and end and they can be taken off during training -(looks dragon in the face) what do you think of my report so far Rubbish! I knew he'd say that!" Out on the lake race after race is watched by crowds cheering from the bank

"We're delighted to have China Global Television with us this afternoon." That's commentator Ian Brooks calling the results for the crowd as they come in." and they've nailed it!"Cheers -champion baby!

"Did you win just now ?"

"We think so. (laughter) We are very excited about our result this year, we have made some very good progress. We have been training really hard. We come here every Saturday for the past few weeks and now we are glad that it's all good."

"Well, well done everybody, congratulations give yourselves a big cheer!"

"We're from China and we can't imagine that a race like this we can see here in America so yes it's really great!"

"You didn't think you'd get away without seeing me have a go did you"

"I'm rowing a dragon boat and I've got to say it's pretty easy you should try it yourself sometime." John Terrett, CGTN, New York.