Photo from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
May is recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and NBC 5 is spotlighting North Texans who are proud to be part of this growing population in Texas. Over the weekend, Dallas celebrated a significant milestone with its first-ever Asian Heritage Festival and Dragon Boat Race.
Dragon boating, a tradition that originated in China thousands of years ago, became a competitive sport in the early 1980s near Hong Kong. It quickly spread to Southeast Asia and became an international phenomenon. Shirley Che, a coach and founding member of DUC Delite, the dragon boat team for Dallas United Crew, explained this evolution. Dragon boat racing has grown in popularity across North America, particularly in Texas. DUC Delite, founded 12 years ago, has expanded significantly, with some Dallas members even competing in the world championship last year.
Che noted that although dragon boat racing originated in Asia, it has become extremely popular in North America. She highlighted the intense competition between Canadian and U.S. teams at the world championship in Thailand last August. Dragon boat racing involves twenty paddlers in an ornately decorated boat, moving to the rhythm of a drummer who also helps steer the boat.
On Sunday, the Dallas United Crew team showcased their skills in collaboration with the City of Dallas. Che expressed hope that such events would attract more members to the sport, regardless of age, athletic ability, or background.
For more information on joining the team, interested individuals can visit the team's website.
Festival organizers emphasized that this cultural event was long overdue for Dallas, home to some of the largest Asian populations in the Southern United States. Emily Ponchelle from the Office of Arts and Culture for the City of Dallas highlighted the importance of creating experiences that strengthen communities and developing relationships within the AAPI community. This festival is seen as a crucial step for the city to enhance its engagement with AAPI residents.
The City of Dallas partnered with major AAPI organizations, including the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) DFW chapter. Crystal Pang, VP of programming for NAAAP DFW, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to uplift the AAPI community through professional and personal development.
Additionally, the city aims to raise awareness about funding programs available for artists and cultural organizations to ensure such celebrations become an annual tradition. This initiative reflects Dallas's commitment to fostering inclusivity and recognizing the contributions of its diverse communities.
