The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council co-hosted the 2016 Dragon Boats Races and Taiwan Day Festival on September 3 along the Seekonk River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. More than 10,000 people turned out for the event, including many distinguished guests from state and local government and members of the overseas Chinese community, to enjoy the dragon boat races and some traditional Chinese arts and crafts, great food, and exciting performances.
The opening ceremony of the Taiwan Day Festival included Director-General Scott Lai of TECO-Boston, Congressman David Cicilline, Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee, Senator Elizabeth Crowley, State Representative Carlos Tobon, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, and Artistic Director John Baxton of the Pawtucket Arts Festival.
Director-General Lai addressed the crowd noting that the Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival is now in its 17th year. He thanked government officials and the community alike for their support over the years that have made the event such a success. This was the first time, in fact, that the Rhode Island state government had a team, led by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, to compete in the race for the top prize of 20 round-trip airline tickets from New York City to Taipei. The tickets were generously sponsored by China Airlines. Eva Air, for the third year in a row, donated one round-trip airline ticket (NYC-TPE) to the winner of the Dumpling Eating Contest to promote tourism in Taiwan. All in all, there were 20 teams that competed in the dragon boat race and much fun was had by all.
