The following announcement was provided by the Chinese American Association of Watertown:
The Watertown Night Heron Dragon Boat Team is back on the water and gearing up for the 47th Boston Dragon Boat Festival, taking place June 13-14 along the Charles River.
Organized by the Chinese American Association of Watertown (CAAW), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the team brings together a vibrant mix of returning veteran paddlers and first-time participants. While members come from a wide range of cultural, professional, and personal backgrounds, they share a common connection to Watertown as residents or employees and a commitment to teamwork, community, and fun.
As the team prepares for race weekend, CAAW extends its sincere thanks to the Watertown Free Public Library for once again providing space for team meetings, educational sessions, and land-based training. The library’s support has helped make the team accessible and welcoming to paddlers of all experience levels.
The Boston Dragon Boat Festival is one of the oldest and largest dragon boat festivals in North America, featuring competitive racing, cultural performances, arts activities, and a wide variety of food and beverage vendors. The event draws thousands of participants and spectators each year and celebrates the diversity of Greater Boston’s communities.
The Watertown Night Herons invite the entire community to come cheer them on during race weekend. Preliminary races will take place on Saturday, June 13, with racing continuing on Sunday, June 14. Whether you are a longtime dragon boat fan or simply looking for a fun cultural event, the festival offers something for everyone.
Festival details and visitor information can be found at www.bostondragonboat.org.
Beyond dragon boat racing, the Chinese American Association of Watertown (CAAW) is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, community engagement, and educational programming in Watertown. Throughout the year, CAAW organizes a variety of events and activities that bring residents together and celebrate the richness of Chinese and Asian cultures. Recent programs have included Lantern Painting Festivals, Mahjong classes, Lunar New Year celebrations featuring traditional lion dances at the Watertown Free Public Library, and other family-friendly cultural and educational events.
Community members are encouraged to learn more about CAAW, join the organization’s email list, volunteer their time and talents, or make a tax-deductible financial contribution to support future programs and events. Whether you are interested in cultural programming, community service, youth and family activities, or dragon boat racing, there are many ways to get involved. More information is available at www.caawatertown.org.
As a community-based nonprofit powered by volunteers, CAAW welcomes the support of Watertown residents, local businesses, and friends of the community. The organization looks forward to continuing its mission of building connections, fostering cultural understanding, and creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together.
The Watertown Night Herons are proud to represent Watertown on the water and look forward to sharing the excitement of dragon boat racing and the spirit of community with residents throughout the season.