************************************************************
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY), celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, launched a high-profile social and media campaign yesterday (April 15, New York time) at a press conference held at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (NYETO).
Started by NYETO in 1991, the NYDBF-NY has become a fixture in the social calendar of New York City, taking up the first Saturday and Sunday in August.
Speaking at the press conference, Director of NYETO Ms Monica Chen said, "Through the years, HKDBF-NY has grown from strength to strength, with initially only 10 teams participating; last year, there were a record-breaking 155 teams.
"The festival itself has evolved into one of the largest multicultural events in New York and the largest festival of its kind in the US," she said.
Announcing the details of programmes, Chairman of the HKDBF-NY Mr Henry Wan said that the 20th anniversary celebration had a soft launch in January, when the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Henry Tang, visited New York and performed an eye-dotting ceremony at a reception.
"We are now gearing up for the series of celebratory events that will culminate in the two-day festival on August 7 and 8 at Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadow/Corona Park, Queens," said Mr Wan.
"The celebratory programmes will start in late June, with a series of short film clips broadcast on various jumbo-trons in Times Square.
"Under the auspices of the Hong Kong Banking Corporation (HSBC), this TV campaign will be enhanced with added exposure on HSBC's big screen at Times Square, six weeks before the festival," he said.
On July 1, an eye-dotting ceremony will be held at Central Park with a demonstration race of two boats.
"The New York City Government, as always, has been highly supportive of the HKDBF-NY. Park Commissioner, Adrian Benepe, representing the City Government, will preside at the ceremony in Central Park," Mr Wan said.
On July 24, the HKDBF-NY will form part of the City of Water Day event held at Governors Island.
On the eve of the festival, August 7, New York landmark the Empire State Building will celebrate the anniversary with a show-of-light spectacular, featuring the festival in colours.
Concluding the celebration, a team dinner will be held on August 23 in the Boat House in Central Park. Mr Donald Tong, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, will be the honoured guest. The dinner will be attended by city government officials, community leaders, major sponsors, representatives of the business sector and the media.
"The festival has always enjoyed high visibility, with the support of the local media. Joining the list of media partners, this year we will have the New York Times on board," Mr Wan said.
The 20th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, to be held on August 7 and 8 at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadow/Corona Park in Queens, New York, will see more than 150 dragon boat racing teams from across North America taking part in the various divisions of races. More than 50,000 spectators are expected to participate in the land programme, featuring all sorts of cultural and folk art events. The NYETO is the principal festival benefactor.
Ends/Friday, April 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:15
NNNN
