Ancient traditions. Shared stories. One community.

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More than 2,000 years ago in ancient China, there lived a poet and statesman named Qu Yuan. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and deep love for his country. When political corruption led to the fall of his kingdom, he was overcome with grief and cast himself into the Miluo River.

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The local people, who admired and respected him, rushed out in their boats to try to save him. They beat drums to frighten away evil spirits and threw bundles of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the water so that fish would not harm his body.

 

Those rescue boats became the inspiration for today’s Dragon Boat races, and those rice bundles became zongzi - the beloved bamboo leaf-wrapped sticky rice dumplings that families continue to make and share every year.

But the Dragon Boat Festival is about more than history. It is a celebration of loyalty, community, and the bonds that bring people together. It reminds us that traditions are kept alive not only through stories, but through sharing food, laughter, and time with one another.

 

Here in Orange County, New York, those values feel right at home. Whether your family’s roots are in Asia or somewhere else in the world, the Dragon Boat Festival is an opportunity to celebrate heritage, friendship, and the joy of gathering as one community.

 

When you enjoy a zongzi, you’re not simply tasting a traditional food - you’re sharing in a story that has connected generations for over two millennia.