By: Alison Alfonzo Pence
Edmonds, WA – The Asian Service Center (ASC), a cornerstone of community support in Snohomish County, is excited to announce the first-ever Dragon Boat Festival in Edmonds,
Washington. This historic event will take place on August 1, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, located at 220 Railroad Avenue, Edmonds, WA 98020.
Celebrating Tradition and Community
The Dragon Boat Festival, rooted in over 2,000 years of Chinese history, will make its debut in Snohomish County thanks to ASC’s efforts. Originally a religious ritual to appease the rain gods, Dragon Boat racing commemorates the great war-time poet Qu Yuan, who sacrificed himself to protest political corruption. Today, Dragon Boat racing is a symbol of patriotism and community spirit, celebrated worldwide.
Event Highlights
Dragon Boats: Visitors will have the opportunity to see a Dragon Boat up close, with at least two boats accommodating 10 people on display outside the Edmonds Waterfront
Center. Weather and tides permitting, attendees can also enjoy rides on the water, provided they sign liability waivers and wear life vests and pay a nominal fee.
Cultural Performances: The festival will feature Master David Leong’s Kung Fu practitioners featuring the Lion Dance, the Okinawa Kenji Kai Chijinshuu of Washington Taiko Drummers, who will bring the powerful rhythms of traditional Okinawan drumming to the event, and other Asian cultural performances including a special performance by Graceland Manila, a Filipino Elvis impersonator and his band.
Documentary Screening: “She Marches in Chinatown,” a local documentary about the Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team, will be shown, providing a glimpse into the cultural heritage and community spirit of the area, highlighting women of Chinese heritage, Ruby Chow and her daughter Cheryl Chow.
Specialty Food and Drink: Attendees can enjoy a variety of specialty food and drink offerings that celebrate Asian cuisine.
About the Asian Service Center
Founded by two local Asian immigrants, Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen and ASC CEO, Robert Ha, the ASC in Edmonds, WA, addresses the unique challenges faced by
immigrants in accessing essential services. Serving the South Snohomish community where 24% of the population is Asian, ASC has seen the Asian population grow by 9% since 2020. ASC offers a range of programs, including Health Access, Family Support, Senior Care, and Youth Development, with plans to expand into Mental Health, ESL classes, and Domestic Violence support.
ASC’s robust network of partnerships includes Verdant Health Commission, Washington State Department of Health, Discovery Health, Bird’s Eye Medical, Edmonds Waterfront Center, SHIBA, Homage Senior Service Center, Edmonds Food Bank, Edmonds College, Edmonds Police Department, South County Fire Authority, The Heron’s Nest, and Shared Spaces Foundation.
In addition to its current programs, ASC aims to introduce interpreter and translation services and advocate for policies that promote equity and fairness for all community members.
Sponsors of this historic event include Beresford Booth Lawyers, Humana, First Security Bank, Campbell Nissan of Edmonds, First Financial Northwest Bank, and Shiao-Yen Wu.
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Contact Information
For more information about the Dragon Boat Festival or the Asian Service Center, please contact:
Robert Ha, Executive Director
Asian Service Center
Phone: (206) 227-7698
robert.ha@asianservicecenterwa.org
or
Alison Alfonzo Pence, Board Member and Chair of the Dragon Boat Festival
Asian Service Center
(206) 718-5474 cell/text
alisonpence@me.com
alison.pence@asianservicecenterwa.org
Visit our website at www.asianservicecenterwa.org.
This press release can be used by media outlets, partners, and interested parties to share information about the Asian Service Center’s upcoming Dragon Boat Festival and its ongoing community initiatives.
