The Original Dragon Boat Race
Festival in Toronto Celebrating its 21st year!

The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, to be held on June 20 and 21, 2009, is organized by the Toronto Chinese Business Association, a long-established, prestigious not-for-profit community business organization. It was founded in 1972, to promote the social, cultural and the economic well-being of Chinese Canadians and the understanding of Chinese culture and traditions.

The Festival, which started in 1989, turned international in 1993. From the humble beginning with only 27 teams participating in the first festival back in the summer of 1989 - in the past several years, it has reached the full capacity in managing the event consisting of 180 teams with over 5,000 athletes participating in the Festival.

Once again this year, the Festival will welcome teams from other provinces across Canada and from the U.S., Europe and Asia.

As the Festival enters its 21st year in 2009 it will continue to be one of the most exciting summer events in Canada. It combines culture and sports with ethnic group performances and more than 180 teams competing the races. Meeting all expectations in 2008, attendance at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival once again soared past the 120,000 mark to make it one of the most popular summer festivals in Toronto.

Furthermore, the social responsibilities of the Festival have also extended to raising funds for charities, such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation and the Sick-kids Foundation. It continues to look forward to be partnership with other charitable organizations in the years to come.