Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostCheryl Clark, team captain and drummer for The Well-Being Warriors, works to keep the pace as their Hong Kong boat makes their way across the water. Each Hong Kong boat has 20 paddlers and one drummer. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostA family of ducks makes their way past one of the Hong Kong boats. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostThe annual Dragon Boat Festival includes food, dances, music and specialty vendors as well as dragon boat races at Sloan's Lake. Hyoung Chang, Denver Post file
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostMembers of the Okinawa Summer Dragons celebrate their win in Flag Catching Team Trial 1 Race. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostMembers of one team from Adaptive Adventure makes their way to the finish line in their Hong Kong boat. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostA team from the Lao Buddhist Temple of Denver make their way back to the docks after finishing the Meter Time Trial 1 Race in their Hong Kong boat. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostKeelan Schoenecker, the flag catcher for team Medtronic AIM, is first to reach the flag in the Flag Catching Division Time Trial 2 Race. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostMembers of team Spirit of Cambodia gathers together before one of their races. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostMembers of the Sprit of Cambodia show their strength as they dock their boat. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver PostPeople gather at the shore to watch the boats and cheer on the teams. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostDragon boat flag catcher Shanleigh Sullivan, 20, foreground, of Longmont, plucks her team's flag from the water to win a heat during dragon boat racing at the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostA dragon boat team powers through a Hong Kong style race on Sloan's Lake during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostThree dragon boats compete in a Hong Kong style race during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostColorful umbrellas draw in attendees of; the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival held at Sloan's Lake Park.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostA dragon boat team floats across Sloan's Lake past the Denver skyline before a race during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in July 2017.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostThree spectators watch from shore as three dragon boats compete on Sloan's Lake during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostDragon boat heads are pictured in a row before races during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostCali Gardner-Abts, 8, left, looks at hand fans on display with her sister Abi Abts, 5, right, both of Parker, while attending the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostChinese Zen Buddhist monk Jianhu Shifu, center, participates in an eye-dotting purification ceremony with Tai Shifu Tonny Kho, right, and other dignitaries at the beginning of the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival held at Sloan's Lake Park. Jianhu Shifu is the head monk of the Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, Calif.; Master Kho is from Boulder's Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu organization.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostMembers of the Phantom Dragons compete in a Hong Kong style dragon boat race on Sloan's Lake during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostMembers of Boulder's Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu organization take part in a dragon dance during opening ceremonies for the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostMembers of the dragon boat racing team Phantom Dragons take part in a haka – a war dance from the Maori people of New Zealand – led by Wheat Ridge resident and team captain Michael Boyd, at center, before racing in a heat in the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Andy Colwell, Special to The Denver PostVapor swirls around a serving of liquid nitrogen-infused "Dragon's breath" made from Korean rice puffs during the 17th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Kathryn Scott, The Denver Post
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Cheryl Clark, team captain and drummer for The Well-Being Warriors, works to keep the pace as their Hong Kong boat makes their way across the water. Each Hong Kong boat has 20 paddlers and one drummer. The 17th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Sloan's Lake Park on July 30, 2017 in Denver.
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
For 17 years, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival — the largest of its kind in the nation — has been a source of pride and cultural preservation for thousands of Asians across the Rocky Mountain region.
Forty teams competed in the namesake activity, dragon boat racing, a 2,000-year-old traditional Chinese paddling sport that combines art and athleticism.
It was held Sloan’s Lake Park from 10 a.m. on Saturday to 5 p.m. on Sunday July 29-20, 2017.