The 27th annual Victoria Dragon Boat Festival kicked off in the Inner Harbour on Friday (Aug. 12) afternoon with its traditional eye-dotting ceremony B次元官网网址� marking a return to the event for the first time in two years.

Willie So, director of the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society, said it feels amazing to be bringing the event back to the community after such a long pandemic hiatus.

B次元官网网址淭he last two years have been really tough on the board trying to hold onto something that has lasted so long in this city, that means so much to this city,B次元官网网址� he told Black Press Media.

B次元官网网址淭he significance of the eye dotting ceremony B次元官网网址� it symbolizes the awakening of the dragon B次元官网网址� by dotting the eyes we awaken the dragon and each of the dragons will bless the sea that weB次元官网网址檒l be racing in, and (ensure) that weB次元官网网址檒l be in a safe environment. This ceremony has gone on since I can remember, since dragon boats have existed.B次元官网网址�

Although racing participation is only about 60 per cent than that of previous years, So said, organizers hope this yearB次元官网网址檚 festival brings the Greater Victoria community together to capture the true dragon boat spirit.

The festival runs Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14. For full schedule and entertainment details, visit .

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