The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is an old one, rooted in Chinese culture and admired by the locals. The people of Nanaimo and around love the Dragon Boat Festival so much that a group of people formed the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society. They work year-round to prepare the best event possible for paddlers and spectators. The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society helps and donates to many good causes. Among them are Nanaimo Hospital Foundation and Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, and large donations for the cause of improving the diagnostic and treatment of breast cancer patients.
The origins of Dragon Boat racing are very interesting; it traces back to over 2,000 years ago in South China. It is quite a touching story about the tragic fate that happened to Qu Yuan (pronounced Chu Yuan) around 277 B.C. Since then, Dragon Boat racing became a festival, a way of respecting and remembering the man people loved. As time became much more important in Chinese culture, it was introduced to the world with the expansion of Chinatowns.
Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is held at Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society is in the same area. It is in charge of preparing and presenting the festival in the best way possible, and they exceed themselves every year. In Maffeo Sutton Park's surroundings, you can expect many facilities, such as good restaurants with an excellent view like Lighthouse Bistro and beautiful parks. Queen Elizabeth II Promenade is a park along the shoreline, and if you go a little bit further down Front Street, you can see The Bastion, one of the historical landmarks in Nanaimo.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route from downtown Nanaimo to Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society is Wallace St and Comox Rd. It is 750 m (2460.6 ft) and takes about 2 minutes.
Head northwest on Wallace St toward Wentworth St and go on for 500 m (1640.4 ft). Turn right onto Comox Rd, and after 200 m (656.1 ft), turn left onto Cliff St. Destination will be on the right, and by going 26 m (85.3 ft) more, you will reach Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society.
From Victoria:
Getting to Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 111 km (69.9 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St and go on for 99 m (324.8 ft). Turn right onto Government St and after 1 km (0.6 miles), take a slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Go on for 72 m (236.2 ft) and use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 110 km (68.3 miles) and turn right onto Comox Rd. After 91 m (298.5 ft) turn left onto Cliff St. Destination will be on the right, and it just takes 26 m (85.3 ft) more to reach Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society.
The history of the Dragon Boat Festival starts with tragedy. Qu Yuan was a statesman and poet in the feudal kingdom whose wisdom and integrity guided the king and was beloved by the people. His advice angered his rivals, so they persuaded the king to send him to exile. Qu got depressed over his exile and drowned himself in the Mi Lo River by putting stones in his pockets. The local fishermen were witnessing this race out to rescue him. As it was the costume to scare the fish and water dragons away from Qu Yuan's body, they beat their drums and splashed with their paddles. From then on, people of southern china commemorate their beloved Qu by staging the Dragon Boat Festival.
Maffeo Sutton Park that features Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, is located near the downtown of Nanaimo and close to its charms. It would be a true loss if you go to the Maffeo Sutton Park and do not visit the White Sails Brewing or Cliffside Brewing Company. You can also have a wonderful time dining in Lighthouse Bistro with the view of the ocean. If you get there in time for sunset, you can take mind-blowing pictures. Stretching your legs and enjoying a natural and beautiful space is possible by taking a walk to Queen Elizabeth II Promenade Park. You can choose The Nanaimo Bar for having a drink, down the Front Street. There are also other parks nearby.