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PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Ray Gonzalez Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival
This event is presented by Guakia, Inc. and hosted by Riverfront Recapture, Inc.
This festival brings you an evening of music featuring some of the best international Latin Jazz and Salsa artists. More performance info to come.
Click here to see coverage of last year's event filmed by VIVA HARTFORD! -- a community based television show highlighting Hartford's entertainment offerings.
Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Saturday, August 1, 1-11pm
This year marks the 4th Annual Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival and it will be bigger and better than ever! Don’t miss one of Hartford’s premier cultural events as both upper and lower Mortensen Riverfront Plaza are transformed into a Caribbean village. Bring the whole family to enjoy numerous musical and dance performances while you sample authentic and world famous Caribbean dishes. Taste of the Caribbean is produced in collaboration with CAYASCO.
Rain Date: Sunday August 2
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Hartford Pops - Olmsted Summer Concert - August
Friday, August 7, 7pm
Enjoy the Hartford Pops Band, a 38-piece professional concert band featuring wind, brass & percussion instruments. The theme for our final Riverfront performance in 2009 will be, You Call This Pops? An interesting program defining the broad spectrum of Pops. Conductor, Gary Partridge has something up his sleeve for everyone and will try to answer this question. Come out for an enjoyable evening under the stars. The Olmsted Summer Concert is part of the Riverfront Performance Series sponsored by Lincoln Financial Foundation.
Food Vending Opportunities:
Riverfront Recapture programs a variety of concerts, festivals, and sporting events that include food vending. All food and beverage vendors are required to complete an application and receive approval from Riverfront Recapture. To receive an application, send your inquiry to vending@riverfront.org.
9th Annual Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival - Hartford, CT
Saturday, August 15 & Sunday August 16
Welcome to the exhilarating sport of dragon boat racing!
2009 marks our 9th Dragon Boat Races and this year’s race and festival are being expanded in many new and exciting ways. You can expect over 1,300 paddlers, both local and club teams, participating over the course of our two day festival.
Our event also features Asian entertainment, martial arts demonstrations, a table tennis tournament, educational cultural booths, delicious Asian cuisine, Asian games for kids and much more.
Conveniently located in the center of Downtown Hartford, our venue offers a one-of-a-kind festival and sporting experience.
CLICK ON ANY OF THE BLUE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW SPECIFIC EVENT INFO.
Six races over two days for International Dragon Boat Federation club teams
Three races for local, non-club teams (on Saturday, Aug 15)
Open, Mixed, Women’s, Breast Cancer Survivors, Youth, Corporate, and Municipal Divisions
Eastern Region Dragon Boat Association (ERDBA) Circuit Point Qualifier for ERDBA Members
Sponsorship Challenge Race
Race Management and Timing by Great White North Dragon Boat
Electronic Start & Finish with Video Replay
Event Highlights
Tent City – Local and club team villages
Two days of Asian entertainment, dancing, demonstrations, and activities
Authentic Asian food as well as American favorites
Special team Gourmet box lunch offerings
Kid’s Asian activities
Table tennis competition
Asian specialty beer garden
DRAGON BOAT RACING - Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 5pm
Why Dragon Boat Racing?
Put together a dragon boat team for a group activity like no other. Your team of at least 8 women and 12 men will propel a 40 foot dragon boat in the water through teamwork and communication in a friendly competition against other teams!
No athleticism or experience required! Get your team on the water and experience one of the most unique teambuilding activities offered in Connecticut. See why those who’ve tried it are hooked!
Its easy to do:
- Just pull together 20 co-workers, peers, friends or family as paddlers on your team. No experience required, 16 years and older.
- Attend at least 2 practices before race day.
- All equipment and instruction provided.
This is a sport anyone can compete in!
Share this information with your friends! Click here to view and print our team recruitment flyer!
Click here to view the 2008 Dragon Boat race results!
If you’re a Team Captain who has already registered your boat, and/or a Team Paddler who has already signed your waiver, AND NOW YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR GROUP HOTEL BLOCK OR INDIVIDUAL HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION, click here.
Team Captain Info & Race Details
This section will be used to provide Team Captains with useful information… including Race Rules & Regs. Check back soon for more info!
Click here to see the 2009 Race Rules and Regulations!
The day-long Asian Cultural Festival Offers FREE
- Martial Arts Demonstrations
- Table Tennis
- Asian Music & Dance Performances
- And More…
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Entertainment Schedule
Saturday entertainment is 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm - Details to follow!
Photo Gallery & Videos
Click here to see a photo gallery of past dragon boat events and Asian festivals.
To see a You Tube video of a Dragon Boat practice race, click the arrow below.
Event History
In 2000, Riverfront Recapture held its 1st Dragon Boat Festival and attracted over 30 local teams to compete in a 1-day community-based competition. Over the years the competition has grown and the festival has developed into a culturally rich and vibrant event that showcases the Asian community that thrives in the Hartford region.
Now after 8 years, the downtown Hartford riverfront is widely recognized as one of the premier dragon boat venues in the country. We produce a very well-run competition accompanied by a high quality, action packed festival. If you haven’t been to Hartford lately, you would be pleasantly surprised. Hartford has become a desirable vacation destination with great restaurants, clubs, accommodations, entertainment, history, and natural beauty. We would like to invite your team to what will surely be the best dragon boat event of your season – The Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival on August 15th & 16th.
For those teams that have competed in our festival before, we intend to keep the general format the same as it was for the past 8 years - why change a good thing? This means that you will be competing for trophies and medals in a 3-race competition on Saturday August 15. There will of course be an energy-filled awards ceremony with plenty of trophies and medals.
For more information about the Chinese history of Dragon Boat Racing, CLICK HERE.
This year’s race will feature up to $20,000 in 5 Competitive categories will be up for grabs over the course of the two day event, slated for August 15 & 16, 2009. Prizes will be awarded in the 500M and 200M Races for 5 Divisions, Premium Mixed, Premium Open, Premium Women, Premium Youth and Breast Cancer Survivor. Click here for prize money details!
Also, for the first time in the event’s history, the Hartford event will also serve as an ERDBA Qualifier. Timing, conducted by Great White North Dragon Boat of Canada, will earn ERDBA members Race Circuit Points.
Volunteer to Help at this Event
Volunteer info to come…
Where to Stay and Play while your in Hartford
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS -
The Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau has negotiated great rates with three event host hotels, the Sheraton Hartford Hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hartford, and the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Click here for more information on these three great hotels.
Getting around town -
Free Downtown Shuttle - The Hartford Star Shuttle is a free, downtown shuttle bus that leaves the CT Convention Center approximately every 12 minutes, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. On Saturdays, the shuttle runs from 3:00 to 11:00 PM. Fifteen Star Shuttle stops bring you directly to dozens of Hartford hotels, historic sights, restaurants and entertainment venues! To see the Star Shuttle route, click here. For more information, or extended shuttle hours for special events, click here.
REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS – Please remember that team cancellations will only be available if approved by the Event Director. Also note that there may be cancellation fees associated with any cancellation. All processing and service fees are non-refundable. This event is rain or shine. There are no refunds for inclement weather.
Don’t miss this sensational line up of local and international guitarists performing a gamut of musical styles. Food and Beverages available. Part of the Riverfront Performance Series sponsored by Lincoln Financial Foundation. View a clip of the 2008 Guitar Under the Stars.
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Pilobolus
Saturday, September 12, 7:30pm
This world-renowned, CT based dance troupe will perform a free, outdoor performance on the lower stage at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, captivating you with body contortions and movements that will leave you cheering, laughing and gasping in amazement! Pilobolus has performed at venues and events all over the globe, including the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards. Click here to view a sample of the performance you don’t want to miss!
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Incredible India Festival
Saturday, October 3, 10am–4pm
Join the Milan Cultural Association of Connecticut for a unique celebration of Indian culture. Come down to the Riverfront for Indian music, food, handicraft and entertainment! Click here for info on the Milan Cultural Association of Connecticut.
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Enjoy the Hartford Pops Band, a 38-piece professional concert band featuring wind, brass & percussion instruments. The theme for our final Riverfront performance in 2009 will be, You Call This Pops? An interesting program defining the broad spectrum of Pops. Conductor, Gary Partridge has something up his sleeve for everyone and will try to answer this question. Come out for an enjoyable evening under the stars. The Olmsted Summer Concert is part of the Riverfront Performance Series sponsored by Lincoln Financial Foundation.
