Experience the traditional culture and competition of the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races and celebrate recreation on the river at Promenade Park on August 1 and 2, 2025.
News release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation:
2025 Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races
Feature 23 Dragon Boat TeamsFort Wayne, Indiana (July 30, 2025) – Experience the traditional culture and competition of the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races and celebrate recreation on the river at Promenade Park on August 1 and 2. This two-day event begins on Friday at 5:00 p.m. with free family-friendly activities and colorful dance and drum performances by the Chinese Friends & Family Association. Try your hand crafting a fan or build your own lantern or dragon boat, get temporarily inked with a tattoo, play a little ping pong and soak in the celebration of community. Teds snack+bar and a selection of *food trucks will offer refreshment for purchase.
At 7:00 p.m., the local band, Los Electros will perform in the Sweetwater Band Shell. The Opening Ceremony kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with a welcome from Riverfront Manager Riley Hollenbaugh and features the beautiful performances of the Fort Wayne Chinese Friends & Family Association in the Old National Bank Plaza. Afterwards, find a seat in the Ambassador Enterprises Amphitheatre for the spectacular Fire Dancers and Floating Fire Pits at 9:30 p.m. on the St. Marys River.
Come back on Saturday for more culture and the competition! Watch the Dotting of the Eyes Ceremony with Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel at 9:30 a.m. then cheer on your favorite team as they race on the St. Marys River. The races are approximately 250 meters in length, beginning just west of the Wells Street Bridge and ending near the Harrison Street Bridge. The winning time in 2024 was 01:13.956 earning the Cleveland Hydranamics the title, Gold Champions. Don Hall’s Buster Astros earned Silver with 01:14.311 followed by Shambaugh and Sons with 01:14.638 earning Bronze. Final heats are planned for 3:00 p.m. followed by the *awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. in the Sweetwater Band Shell. Times for the second and final heat races and award ceremony are approximate and subject to change on Saturday.
Crafting activities for children are planned on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. while supplies last. Take a break from the sun in the Park Foundation Pavilion and appreciate art displays and additional cultural activities.
Kulture City Sensory Bags will be available for use while supplies last in the Pavilion.
NOTE: Due to the Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races, the Sweet Breeze Canal Boat tours will shift on Saturday, August 2, from afternoon to evening times beginning at 6:00 p.m. (60-minute tour) and 7:15 p.m. (45-minute tour) and return to the regular afternoon hours on Sunday, August 3, at 2:00 p.m. (90-minute tour) and 3:45 p.m. (45-minute tour).
*Friday food options: Carmelita’s, Head2Hock, Wicked Wraps and Tocho Snack Bar food trucks will park on Harrison Street. Teds snack+bar will offer snacks, sandwiches and beverages and a full bar for purchase in the Plaza and the Pavilion.
*Saturday Food options; Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck will be parked along Harrison Street beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by Carmelita’s, Kain Na, Smokin’ J ‘s and Chance Jr. beginning at 10:00 a.m. Teds snack+bar will be open in the pavilion beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Download the Dragon Boats flyer.
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