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SLG · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject: Festival of dragon boats

HUNDREDS of rowers are set to take part in a spectacular race under the Forth bridges in the city's festival of dragon boats.

Crowds of around 10,000 people are expected to turn out for the colourful event, which is revisiting Edinburgh on June 24 for the first time in 14 years.

Up to 25 boats, laden with around 500 rowers, will compete in the first race of its kind to take place on the Firth of Forth.

Chinese food stalls and cultural events will also be held on the banks of the Forth as competitors in 40ft-long boats, each decorated with a dragon's head, race to the beat of a drum on a 200-metre course in Queensferry Bay.

The day-long race series, hosted by Chest, Heart and Stroke (CHS) Scotland, is expected to raise around £25,000 for the Edinburgh-based charity's work.

Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago in the valleys of southern China.

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=596572006