Dragons on the Water

Springfield will play host to a competition of dragons on Saturday — the boat kind, not the flying around torching villages variety.

The annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival will be held at the North Riverfront Park, 121 West St., in Springfield, on Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Teams of up to 16-people per dragon boat race in this high-speed, ultra-charged all-out dash to the finish line 200 meters away. Organized by the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, the family-friendly event celebrates Asian culture and features races as well as music, performances, food, merch, and kid activities. One of the highlights of the festival is the flower ceremony for breast cancer survivors.

Dragon Boat Festival: Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. North Riverfront Park, 121 West St., Springfield. pvrc.com.

— Kristin Palpini