When you stay at the Inn at Gothic Eves, you expect to see the nearby lakes, you expect to see beautiful landscape, and you expect to see wineries nearby. But here’s something you may have thought you’d never see in the NY Finger Lakes Region: Dragon Boat racing! But on July 12, you can witness the celebration for yourself at the 2014 International Dragon Boat Festival (IDBF) at Cass Park in Ithaca!
This Qin and Han Dynasty tradition from more than 2000 years ago has been revived locally by the Ithaca Asian American Association as both a celebration of culture, and as a sporting competition for all. There will also be food, performances, goods for sale, and lots of fun for the whole family! Dragon Boating is a cross between canoeing and competitive rowing. Each 40-foot boat traditionally holds a crew of 22 team members; 20 paddlers, a caller and a steerer. The paddles are similar to traditional canoe paddles, but otherwise the race is very similar to a competitive rowing event.
The IDBF will feature 200, 500 and 2000 meter races with heats in Mixed, Open racing, Women, Breast Cancer Survivor, and youth teams. There will also be Corporate teams and novice teams. But most of all, there will be a wonderful day of spectacle, excitement and fun at the southern end of beautiful Cayuga Lake and Inlet. And if you’re looking for a different way to spend a day, you can’t beat this iconic local event. So plan a weekend at The Inn at Gothic Eves and experience this unique glimpse of exciting regional life here in the Finger Lakes!
