It’s official – the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is my new favorite free Denver summertime event. This weekend I got on my bike and pedaled over to Sloan’s Lake to see what this free festival had to offer.
Although the main attraction are the dragon boat races that occur throughout the two day festival, it’s also a huge celebration of the pan-Asian community here in the Denver area.
Upon arrival, I was immediately stoked because the festival offers two bike corrals monitored by a local Girl Scouts troop, so you can safely park your bike and not worry about anyone fiddling with it.
As I moseyed through the first of two food courts, I could hear the drums beating, signalling that there was a boat race happening, so I rushed over to the lakeside to see the boats in action.
Sloan’s Lake is gorgeous, and watching the dragon boat races on the lake, with the mountains in the background is just a little slice of heaven (the pros bring their chairs and set up sun shades along the shore of the lake).
So many people turned out (this year’s event was expected to draw over 100,000 visitors) and I couldn’t help but smile watching both young and old learn some Indian dancing, visitors excitedly buying delicately designed Asian sun parasols, and seeing people sprawled out on the lawn chowing down on steamed pork buns from Hot Bamboo in the shapes of animals and colorful designs.
In addition to wanting to see what the festival was all about, I was very eager to get a taste of Chef Penelope Wong’s upcoming food truck venture, Yuan Wonton, which had a tent set up at the food court at the event.
Her Chili Garlic Wontons are full of flavor, very delicate, and slightly spicy. Incredibly excited to trying more once the truck is up and running.
What an awesome weekend! Can’t wait until next year’s event.
Have you ever been to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival? If so, let me know your impressions of this annual free event in the comments!