The 2017 Hsinchu County Magistrate Cup Dragon Boat Race will kick off at Chihe Lake in Xinfeng Township on the morning of May 27. The dragon boat eye dotting and launching ceremony was recently held in front of Chihe Temple. Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun, Hsinchu County Council Speaker Zhang Zhen-rong and many other representatives all piously offered incense and prayed for the success of the dragon boat race. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the boats were moved by a crane onto the 200-meter-long courses at Chihe Lake.
Hsinchu County holds the dragon boat race every year. The race not only passes on traditional customs and provides citizens with a great leisure activity, but it also offers a chance to promote local produce and boosts the local economy. There will be 37 teams, 900 participants in total, competing in the Magistrate Cup this year. Those teams are from all over Taiwan, including several teams from Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park and two teams from the army. Thus, the race is expected to be intense and worth watching.
On the same day of the race, local agricultural products including duck eggs will also be on sale at the venue. In addition, residents of local communities will provide splendid song and dance performances. Everyone across Taiwan is welcomed to join in the grand occasion, cheer on the teams, and celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.