Marco Polo World Foundation (MPWF) is thrilled to announce the 15th Annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival, set to take place on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm at Lake Carolyn – Levy Event Plaza in Irving, Texas. In conjunction with this event, the MPWF is proud to introduce the DFW Dragon Boat Racing Club, an exciting addition to the foundation’s existing programs.
The festival will be graced by the presence of honorable Consul Generals from China, and Japan, with invitations extended to Consul Generals of Mexico. Esteemed guests including a U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey, Representative Angie Chen Button, Representative Matt Shaheen, and numerous mayors will join in the celebration that welcomes all and shines a light on diversity and international culture.
This year, International Leadership of Texas Global is the signature sponsor. The festival boasts over 50 dragon boat racing teams, with participants traveling from Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Austin, and Houston to compete. Local teams ranging from boy scouts, girl scouts, corporations, colleges, individuals, community organizations and city employees, including the Irving Fire Department, will also take part. The festival will feature exciting activities such as kite flying, the dragon boat eye-dotting ceremony, the Best Drummer Costume Competition, an International Parade of Costumes, and appearances from the winners of the Global Glamour Extravaganza pageant. Additionally, in an effort to raise cancer awareness, a special Carnation Ceremony will be held to celebrate cancer survivors.
As one of the largest multicultural events in Texas, the festival anticipates welcoming 21,000 visitors this year. To cater to diverse interests, the event has been expanded to include cultural performances from over 15 countries, as well as interactive activities such as lantern riddles and carnival games. Attendees can look forward to spectacular kite and shuttlecock demonstrations and competitions, alongside various cultural classes including kite and lantern making, Chinese embroidery, Mandarin language lessons, and abacus counting. Complementing the festivities will be gondola rides on the picturesque Lake Carolyn and surprises such as mascot appearances, ensuring fun for all ages. Throughout the venue, visitors can also indulge in ethnic cuisine and much more.
“Admission to the event is free, and it promises to be family and kid-friendly,” said Ms. Diana Wang Madsen, President of MPWF. Visitors can conveniently access the event by riding the DART system to the Las Colinas Urban Center station.
Following the opening ceremony, MPWF will host a VIP reception and present MPWF scholarships to deserving students who have demonstrated significant contributions to the community through volunteer efforts and multicultural activities.
As the event host, Marco Polo World Foundation has been at the forefront of introducing the ancient practice of dragon boat racing to North Texas. “Marco Polo World Foundation is much more than just a one-day festival,” said Ms. Diana Wang Madsen. Other programs such as internships, scholarships, president’s volunteer service award and Asian Culture Seminars are offered throughout the year to foster social and civic improvement. This year, the foundation launched the DFW Dragon Boat Racing Club to further its educational goals and provide guests with insight into the history of dragon boating.
The club offers dragon boat classes year-round for individuals, groups, students, and corporations, with rental services available for local companies and organizations seeking team-building and cultural diversity programs.