40 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • JULY 2, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
Annual Hong Kong Dragon
Boat Festival postponed
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Queens’ premier cultural extravaganza
will not take place this summer
amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Th e
30th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat
Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona
Park has been postponed due to health
and safety
concerns.
“Due to the continuing COVID crisis,
the 30th-anniversary celebration
of the annual Hong Kong Dragon
Boat Festival scheduled for Aug. 8 and
9, 2020, at Meadow Lake has been
postponed to early August 2021,”
HKDBFNY Chairman of the Board
Henry Wan said.
Wan said the board discussed the current
situation and came to the conclusion
that the coronavirus
crisis is
still not generally
under
control, with
no apparent
treatment or vaccine.
Additionally, New
York City’s phase four reopening
will not be implemented until late July
and the social distancing requirement will
not work for dragon boating.
Th e Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is
recognized as one of the Top 20 Events in
the United States, is an annual, multi-cultural
celebration and sporting event
which draws tens of thousands making
it one of the biggest festivals of its kind
in the nation. In Chinese culture, dragon
boat racing is used to commemorate the
life of poet and performer Qu Yan.
According to legend, Yan drowned himself
in the third century B.C. to protest
against the emperor’s politics. Locals
raced in dragon boats to save his body
while beating drums and splashing paddles.
Th ey threw rice dumplings into the
water to prevent fi sh and water dragons
from eating him. In addition to the traditional
dragon boat competitions featuring
more than 200 teams, many with corporate
sponsorships,, the festival includes an
international food court and live musical
performances and entertainment.
“A special thanks to all of our sponsors,
board members, staff , media, paddlers,
vendors and attendees for their continued
support,” Wan said. “Please stay safe. On
behalf of our board of directors and staff
we thank you all. We look forward to a
great event in 2021.”
Jacob Riis Park offi cialy reopens for
swimming with lifeguards on duty
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Jacob Riis Park reopened to swimmers
starting Wednesday, July 1, when lifeguards
will be back on duty, the National
Parks Service announced Monday.
Restrictions on parking remains at 50
percent capacity will remain in eff ect until
further notice. “Park rules and regulations
remain in eff ect in eff ect for Jacob Riis
Park,” Th e National Parks Service statement
said. “Please follow social distancing
guidelines. Please keep 6 feet apart from
other visitors and avoid group gatherings.”
Additionally, the barbecue area will
remain closed until further notice.
Th e vast concession area known as Riis
Park Beach Bazaar resumed outdoor dining
under city and state phase two reopening
guidelines, including distanced tables
and limited capacity to go along with sanitizing,
mask and social distancing.
Due to COVID restrictions, alcohol is
permitted for table service only within
RPBB’s Bay 9.
Bay 9 East will feature an expanded
beer garden, providing more space for
distanced outdoor dining and drinking,
while Bathhouse West will off er an even
larger expansion of its beer garden footprint.
Food will be available for both table service
and at dedicated takeout only locations
at Bay 9 and the Bathhouse.
For more information visit Riis Park
Beach Bazaar’s website. Courtesy of National Park Service
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