Fifth Annual Nashville Dragon Boat Races
August 20, 2011

The Fifth Annual Dragon Boat Races were held at Riverfront Park today.  Just like last year it was a brilliant blue yet hot and sultry August day, but it was still great to watch.  I didn't stay for the whole thing, as usual, as it was an all-day event and I prefer air conditioning to heat, but I did watch the opening ceremonies and the first heat race.

The event was held at Riverfront Park which is, as the name implies, located right on the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville.  It adjoins Fort Nashboro, a reconstruction of the stockade that eventually became Nashville.

Like last year, the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville put on a great high-energy show for the crowd.  I don't have that kind of energy on a cool day!

Four boats started at the same time.  You can tell by the expressions on the faces of some of these competitors that they are giving everything that they have to win.

It was a really interesting event but like last year the weather was very, very hot and humid.  I watched the first heat and headed back toward home, hot and sweaty enough for one day.  Last year I ended this page by stating, "Hopefully next year's event will be in better weather so that I Can stay for the whole event." but it didn't happen.  It can't hurt though, so I'll just say it again: Hopefully next year's event will be in better weather so that I Can stay for the whole event.  Oh, and if I had a choice I'd rather be on the other side of the river so everything isn't backlighted ;)