Kaiser Permanente 14th Annual San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival Brings a Packed Weekend of Exciting Competition and Family Fun to the Bay Area

September 24, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO -- (U.S. ASIAN WIRE)

WHAT: Organized by the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA), the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival is the largest dragon boat race in the United States. The festival celebrates the widespread adoption of the sport since being introduced to the Bay Area over a decade ago and the legendary roots it has in the Chinese tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival. The event features dragon boat racing, two days of cultural performances, a traditional opening ceremony with lion dancing and Buddhist monks, Dragon Land - an expansive activity pavilion with arts, crafts, and games for children. This year has a special Family Day on Sunday with roving dragons, Chinese stilt walkers, a special appearance by the Kai-lan costumed character from Nickelodeon's hit animated preschool series "Ni Hao, Kai-lan", Chin-Chin the award winning magician, animal balloon artists, and more. WHO: Over 110 teams will compete in the two-day festival, from novice teams representing local corporations, community organizations, high schools, and competitive teams. Regarded as the ultimate dragon boat race of the season, the festival hosts dozens of highly competitive dragon boat teams visiting from around the United States, Canada, and as far as the Netherlands. WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2009 Racing from 8 am to 5pm, festival from 10 am to 5 pm WHERE: Clipper Cove at Treasure Island, San Francisco COST: Free entry and courtesy shuttles to and from the festival site from San Francisco Chinatown (Kearny & Washington) and Powell St. BART/Muni (pick up Mission at 4th St., in front of SF Marriott)

About Dragon Boat Racing
From its beginning as a Chinese legend over 2,300 years ago, dragon boat racing is now one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is practiced in more than 35 countries. A dragon boat is 45-foot long boat adorned with a dragon head, tail, and scales that is propelled by 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson.

About the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA)
The CDBA is a non-profit organization formed in 1996 to promote the growth and development of dragon boating. The CDBA has been successful in establishing dragon boat programs in many Bay Area high schools and has grown the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival to its strong international reputation it has today. For more information, please visit: www.CDBA.org.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente, founded in 1945, is a non-profit integrated health care organization, with physicians, nurses and staff working in collaboration to provide high quality care to patients and address the health care needs of communities served by the organization. The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region serves about 3.2 million members.

Press contact:
Linda Cheu (Festival Director)
(415) 378-8858
linda.cheu@gmail.com
www.sfdragonboat.com