鼓声即将再次响彻亨普斯特德港（Hempstead Harbor）！2026年长岛北亨普斯特德镇（Town of North Hempstead）与 Ohana Paddling Association（OPA）联合举办的龙舟节，将于7月25日（星期六）在位于纽约州华盛顿港（Port Washington）的北亨普斯特德海滩公园（North Hempstead Beach Park）隆重举行。今年共有38支龙舟队伍参赛，赛事规模再创新高。

延续去年首届活动的巨大成功，今年龙舟节全面升级，不仅扩大赛事规模，更增设丰富多彩的文化节目、全新互动体验及更多家庭娱乐内容。活动举办仅第二年，已迅速成为长岛地区最受瞩目的文化与体育盛会之一，吸引来自美国东北部各地的参赛队伍、游客及商家踊跃参与。

龙舟竞赛作为活动的核心亮点，将展现这项拥有数千年历史的中华传统运动。色彩鲜艳、装饰着龙首龙尾的龙舟将在鼓声节奏下劈波斩浪，每支由20位桨手组成的队伍齐心协力奋勇竞渡，为观众带来融合竞技精神、团队合作与中华文化的精彩水上盛宴。

去年亲临现场观赛后深受感动的北亨普斯特德镇镇长Jennifer DeSena，今年更将亲自披挂上阵，与纳苏郡议员Scott Strauss共同组成Team DeSena参赛。队员包括来自 Plandome、Mineola、Great Neck Vigilant、Roslyn Heights 及 Manhasset-Lakeville 等消防局成员。

DeSena 镇长表示："去年亲眼见到比赛后，我就知道自己一定要亲自参与。今年大家都非常期待，我们迫不及待想体验龙舟竞赛所带来的团队精神与激情。"

今年活动的持续成长，充分体现了北亨普斯特德镇政府与 Ohana Paddling Association 长期合作的成果，双方共同致力于打造更丰富、更精彩的龙舟文化节庆体验。

Ohana Paddling Association 会长Anne Mao（毛安妮）表示："非常感谢 DeSena 镇长及北亨普斯特德镇政府对我们理念的支持。透过双方合作，我们全面提升了龙舟节的规模与品质，同时也展现了北亨普斯特德社区多元文化与团结共融的精神。"

除了紧张刺激的龙舟赛事之外，今年活动还将安排丰富的家庭娱乐节目，包括：

• 超过20家特色美食摊位组成的美食节

• 精彩文化表演

• 扩大规模的商家市集

• 亲子互动活动

• 龙舟运动员巡游（Athlete's Parade）

• 最佳队服设计比赛（Best Team Jersey Contest）

• 首度登场的十二生肖趣味竞赛（Great Zodiac Race）

去年深受欢迎的品牌 Moge Tee、Ikedo、Smusht、Renewal by Andersen 及 New York Life 将再次参与。今年更迎来 Rivian、纽约岛人队（New York Islanders） 及 Dunkin 等新合作伙伴，为活动增添更多亮点。

本届龙舟节获得众多社区组织、企业及合作伙伴的大力支持，包括：

• Great Neck Chinese Association（大颈华人协会）

• Sunny Chinese Center

• New Hyde Park Chinese Association

• Herricks Chinese Association

• Sid Jacobson JCC

• Flushing Bank

• Northwell Health

• KJOY 98.3

• Aerolux Media

• Empire Construction

• Coway

此外，透过与 Hilton Roslyn 酒店合作，参赛队伍可享住宿优惠，不仅方便外地队伍参赛，也进一步带动北亨普斯特德地区餐饮、商业及观光发展。

Ohana Paddling Association 一直秉持"透过龙舟运动创造学习、竞技、领导与归属机会"的宗旨。今年更携手 Blue Raven Ministry 推动龙舟运动普及计划，让青少年、身心障碍人士及弱势族群都有机会参与龙舟运动，持续实践包容、多元与全民参与的理念。

毛安妮表示："龙舟节不仅是一场比赛，更是一场凝聚社区的盛会。它让来自不同文化、不同背景、不同世代的人们，共同朝着同一个方向努力前进。"

龙舟节也是北亨普斯特德镇年度重点活动之一，展现镇政府持续打造区域观光与社区活动品牌的努力。镇内其他知名年度活动还包括夏季音乐会系列（Summer Concert Series）、年度冬泳慈善活动（Polar Plunge）及 Great Gatsby 铁人三项赛（Great Gatsby Triathlon）等。

本届龙舟节将在位于 175 W. Shore Road, Port Washington, NY 的北亨普斯特德海滩公园举行，免费开放入场，欢迎各年龄层居民及游客前来共襄盛举，共同感受竞技、文化与社区融合的精彩魅力。

目前龙舟队报名仍持续开放。欲查询赛事资讯、活动流程、志工招募或赞助合作，请浏览 www.ohanapaddling.org/dbfestival**，或追踪 Instagram：@opadbf** 及 @ohanapaddling。

​​​North Hempstead, NY – The drums will soon be beating across Hempstead Harbor as 39 teams prepare to compete in the 2026 North Hempstead & Ohana Paddling Association Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, July 25, at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington.

Building on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, the Dragon Boat Festival returns bigger and better with expanded programming, new attractions, and an enhanced festival experience. In just its second year, the event has emerged as one of Long Island’s most anticipated cultural and sporting celebrations, attracting teams, visitors, and vendors from across the Northeast.

The festival centerpiece is the ancient tradition of dragon boat racing, featuring colorful boats adorned with dragon heads and tails as teams of 20 paddlers race across Hempstead Harbor in perfect rhythm to the beat of a drum. The fast-paced competition offers spectators a unique waterfront experience that blends athleticism, teamwork, and cultural tradition.

Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena was so inspired by last year’s race that she is joining Nassau County Legislator Scott Strauss to form Team DeSena. The team will include members of the Plandome, Mineola, Great Neck Vigilant, Roslyn Heights, and Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Departments.

“After watching it, I just knew I had to be part of it,” said Supervisor DeSena. “The anticipation is real. We can’t wait to compete and experience the teamwork and excitement firsthand.”

The festival’s growth reflects the strong partnership between the Town of North Hempstead and the Ohana Paddling Association, which worked together to expand the event and create an even greater experience for participants and attendees.

“We are grateful to Supervisor DeSena and the Town of North Hempstead for believing in our vision,” said Anne Mao, President of Ohana Paddling Association. “Together  we’ve elevated every aspect of the festival while showcasing the incredible diversity and community that make North Hempstead so special.”

In addition to the races, attendees will enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities, including a vibrant food festival featuring more than 20 vendors, cultural performances, an expanded merchant marketplace, family activities, the Athlete’s Parade, the Best Team Jersey Contest, and the debut of the Great Zodiac Race community divisions.

Returning festival favorites include Moge Tee, Ikedo, Smusht, Renewal by Andersen, and New York Life. This year’s festival also welcomes new partners, including Rivian, the New York Islanders, and Dunkin, further expanding the experience for attendees of all ages.

The festival’s success is made possible through the support of community organizations, sponsors, and local partners, including the Great Neck Chinese Association, Sunny Chinese Center, New Hyde Park Chinese Association, Herricks Chinese Association, Sid Jacobson JCC, Flushing Bank, Northwell Health, KJOY 98.3, Aerolux Media, Empire Construction, and Coway. Through a partnership with Hilton Roslyn, participating teams are also eligible for discounted hotel accommodations, helping support local tourism while introducing visitors to North Hempstead’s restaurants, businesses, and attractions.

Beyond competition, the festival reflects Ohana Paddling Association’s mission of using paddle sports to create opportunities to learn, compete, lead, and belong. Through a partnership with Blue Raven Ministry, OPA is also expanding access to dragon boating for youth, individuals with disabilities, and underserved communities, reinforcing its commitment to making the sport inclusive and welcoming for all.

“The festival is about much more than racing,” added Mao. “It brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and generations, all moving in the same direction.”

The Dragon Boat Festival is part of a growing lineup of Town events designed to bring residents and visitors together while showcasing North Hempstead as a premier regional destination. Other signature events include the Town’s summer concert series, the annual Polar Plunge, and the Great Gatsby Triathlon at North Hempstead Beach Park.

North Hempstead Beach Park is located at 175 W Shore Rd, in Port Washington, NY. Admission to the festival is free, and residents and visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend this exciting celebration of competition, culture, and community.

Registration remains open for teams interested in participating. For event information, schedules, volunteer opportunities, or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.ohanapaddling.org/dbfestival or follow @opadbf and @ohanapaddling on Instagram.