Chicagos Chinatown Hosts 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy at Ping Tom Memorial Park July 22 2006



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Chicago'ss Chinatown Hosts 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy at Ping Tom Memorial Park July 22, 2006

Chicago'ss Chinatown Hosts 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy at Ping Tom Memorial Park July 22, 2006.

CHICAGO, IL July 22, 2006 -- Thousands of people are expected at The 6th Annual Chinatown ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy, which will be hosted by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, July 22, 2006 at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 West 19th Street (19th.Street at Wentworth Avenue), along the south branch of the Chicago River in Chinatown. This free daylong event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with an Awakening the Dragon and Lion Dance Ceremony followed by the boating tournament. Besides ethnic food and crafts vendors, musical and dance performances, the event will also feature special appearances by members of the touring Cirque Shanghai, Ronald McDonald, South Paw (White Sox Mascot), and on-site artist Grace Lai.

's8220;The Dragon Boat Race is a beautiful, colorful, and fun way for all Chicagoans and visitors to enjoy a summer day. We invite everyone to join us for this unusual and exciting event to experience the fascinating Chinese culture,'s8221; said Betty Chow, Chairman of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. 's8220;The Dragon Boat Race is one of our Chamber's8217;s major events organized in line with our mission of promoting business opportunities and tourism in the Chinatown community. We are proud that the proceeds of this year's8217;s race will benefit the Chicago Public Schools for its literacy program,'s8221; she added.

Twenty-two teams will compete on beautifully decorated dragon boats, each consisting of 20 members: 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher. The 18 paddlers, each with an oar, row to the beat of the drummer, while the flag catcher of each team pulls the flag off the water at the finish line. Ultimately, the top two winning teams will race for the championship. In addition to the races, it will also be a day of family fun, with food and crafts vendors and a stage with various musical performances.

The Chinese Dragon Boat Race has a history of over 2,000 years and is a popular sport among Chinese American communities all over the nation. This year's8217;s race features 22 teams from corporations like ComEd to 25th Ward Alderman's8217;s Office and community organization teams. A special race is scheduled between members from the Chicago Police Department 21st District and Chicago Fire Department-Chinatown Station.

This year's8217;s Dragon Boat Race is presented by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and ComEd Corporation, in cooperation with the Mayor's8217;s Office of Special Events, the Chicago Park District, and the Friends of the Chicago River. Sponsors include the Chinatown Parking Corp., Citibank, The Peninsula Chicago, Sterling Bay, United Airlines, Harris Bank, Asian American Alliance, Nielsen Media Research, and Prudential Financial.

Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation to the event. Parking will be extremely limited. For further information about the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, please contact Susan Ng-Harroun at the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at: 312-326-5320 or visit www.chicagochinatown.org. Media requests for more information, photos and interviews may be directed to ENERI Communications, LLC at 312-635-0888.

MEDIA ADVISORY

CHICAGO CHINATOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
6TH ANNUAL ComEd DRAGON BOAT RACE FOR LITERACY
Saturday, July 22, 2006 at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 West 19th Street, Chicago

INFO: ENERI Communications, LLC 312-635-0888 (On-Site)
312-326-5320
PROGRAM SCHEDULE (As of July 21, 2006 's8211; all times approximate and subject to change)

8:30 a.m. 's8211; 9 a.m.    
Awakening the Dragon and Lion Dance
OPENING CEREMONIES
9 a.m. 's8211; 3:30 p.m.    
DRAGON BOAT RACES (approximate end time, may run longer)
ALL DAY        
Vendors, Exhibits, Special Appearances

8:30 a.m. 's8211; 9 a.m. 's8211; Awakening the Dragon and Lion Dance OPENING CEREMONIES

** Welcome: Susan Ng-Harroun, Executive Director, Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
** Introduction of VIP Guests
** Welcome and Remarks: Betty Chow, Chairman, Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
** Remarks: Tang Ying, Deputy Consul General, People's8217;s Republic of China, Office in Chicago
** Remarks: The Hon. Daniel Solis, Alderman, 25th Ward, President Pro Tempore, City of Chicago
** Remarks: Susan Shin, Director of Asian Affairs, Office of Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
** Remarks: Daniel Stankoskey, ComEd, Title Sponsor Representative
** Presentation of Sponsors
** Eye Dotting Ceremony (Awakening the Dragon)
** Lion Dance by Chicago Dragons Athletic Association
** Start of the Race: Gene Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor Richard M. Daley,
City of Chicago

10 a.m.        
Lion Dance by Chicago Dragons Athletic Association
10:30 a.m.       
Musical Performance by Vandercook College of Music
11 a.m.        
Musical Performance by Chinese Bible Church of Oak Park
12 p.m.    -12:45 p.m.   
Chinese Acrobatic Performance by Cirque Shanghai
12 p.m.        
Special Appearance by Ronald McDonald of McDonald, Inc
1 p.m.            
Martial Arts Performance and Lion Dance by Chicago Chinese Cultural Center
1:30 p.m.        
Cultural Performances by Chinese American Service League
   
(Classical Dancing and Break Dancing)
2 p.m.            
Special Appearance by Southpaw by Chicago White Sox
2 p.m.- 3 p.m.       
Cultural Dances by Punjabi Cultural Society
(Bhangra and Bollywood Dances Including Punjabi Dohl; Bhangra 101:Interactive Class)

FUN IN THE SUN

Cultural Art Station for Children Presented by Mao Bi; Carnival Games (fee applies) and Concession Stands by Chicago Fun Events and DJ provided by Tea Leaf Cafe

2006 VENDORS/EXHIBITORS

Aji Ichiban, American Metro Bank, Asian Foods, Chicago Board of Elections, Chinatown Museum, Citigroup, ENERI Communications, LLC (Special Appearance On-Site Artist Grace Lai), Harris Bank, Lao Sze Chuan, Michael Reese Hospital, Oak Park Bible Church, Starbucks, Western Union, Rush Hour Concerts at St. James
               
CHAMBER: 312-326-5320
MEDIA: 312-635-0888

2006 DRAGON BOAT TEAMS

Aquaholics, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago 9th Police District, Chicago 21st Police District, CABA(Chinese American Bar Association)/AABA (Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area)/AON, Chinese Bible Church of Oak Park, Chinese Recreational Organization, Citibank, Chinatown Hotel, Dragon Chi, Dragon Chi (2nd team), Dragonnaires, Fu-Crew, Harris Bank, McDonald'ss, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Mid-West American, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, Team Diablo, The Mighty 25th, Whale Riders, United Airlines

2006-2007 CHICAGO CHINATOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICERS

Chairman: Betty Chow; President: Benjamin Wong; Vice Presidents: Dominic Lai and Darryl Tom; English Secretary: C.W. Chan; Chinese Secretary: Raymond Lee and Treasurer: Frank Chin       
       
2005-2007 CHICAGO CHINATOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTORS

Dominic Lai, Helen Lee, Tony Shu, Esq., Raymond J. Spaeth, II, Robert Takagi, Darryl Tom, Benjamin Wong, Francis Yip and Wai Chee Yuen

2006-2008 CHICAGO CHINATOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTORS

C.W. Chan, Frank Chin, Michael Chin, Betty Chow, Peter Huey, Tony Hu, Charlie Huang, Elaine Kong, Raymond Lee, Kam L. Liu, Mabel Moy, Ming Ming Tong, Yman Huang Vien and Judy Yuen   





Chicagos Chinatown Hosts 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race For Literacy at Ping Tom Memorial Park July 22 2006