Oriental Dragon Boat Festival Is This Weekend

Oriental’s second annual Dragon Boat Festival is today and tomorrow, July 22 and 23 on the Neuse River, mostly in front of River Neuse Suites. Downeast Destinations made last year’s inaugural event such a success that people wanted more. See the festival’s official Website here.

Vendors and teams arrive today and set up their booths and headquarters tents along South Avenue. The teams will be practicing along the river off South Avenue from 3:30 pm through 9 pm. See a schedule here on the festival’s Website.

The racing begins Saturday at 9 am, with a 1/2 hour break for lunch at 12 noon. Then racing resumes until 3 pm. The winners will then be selected and the awards ceremony held at 3:15 pm.

River Neuse Suites has been booked this weekend for weeks before– most of our rooms are occupied by some members of a wedding party. Oriental as a wedding destination is becoming more popular!