Longtan Dragon Boat Race Returns in June, Showcasing Century-Old Hakka Charm

Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng attended the 'Taoyuan Mayor's Cup Dragon Boat Race Press Conference and Eye-Dotting Ceremony' today, announcing that this year's event will be held from June 19 to 21. Combining dragon boat racing with Hakka cultural features, he invited the public to experience the charm of the Hakka community. Mayor Chang visited Longtan Nantian Temple to perform the ritual of offering incense to heaven, then personally dotted the eyes of the dragon boats with vermilion ink, praying for a safe and successful race. This act demonstrated the traditional Hakka spirit of respecting heaven and thanking the gods, marking the start of the upcoming race. Mayor Chang pointed out that the Longtan Homecoming Cultural Festival is an important annual event in the Longtan area. Last year's race was highly competitive, with only a one-second difference between the champion and runner-up, showcasing the team spirit and fighting spirit of the participants. The dragon boat race tests not only physical fitness but also symbolizes the cohesion and sense of honor among organizations, groups, and communities, attracting large crowds of spectators. The Longtan District Office stated that the Longtan Homecoming Cultural Festival dragon boat race originated in 1915 and has a history of over a hundred years, making it one of the most representative pond dragon boat races in Taiwan. This year, the unique 'kneeling rowing' competition style continues, and the kneeling supports have been upgraded from wood to metal and fixed to the hull, improving the stability and safety of the athletes, ensuring that the traditional event balances cultural heritage with competitive quality.