WATERTOWN – Watertown made waves at the 2025 Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival with the debut of its first-ever team, the Night Herons. Organized by the Chinese American Association of Watertown, the team brought together residents from across the city to compete in one of the nation’s most storied cultural sporting events.

The Night Herons raced in Division C, one of six divisions comprising 72 teams total. In their inaugural appearance, the team finished 9th out of 12 in their division—placing them 33rd overall. Their top performance came during the second heat, where they completed the 500-meter sprint in a time of 2 minutes and 17 seconds.

The effort was the result of months of community-building, outreach, and coordination. Though most team members had never paddled a dragon boat before, the group came together quickly—holding interest meetings, securing funding, and completing four on-water practices before race day. Support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Watertown Cultural Council, and local donors helped cover costs and ensured the event was accessible to all interested residents.

Beyond the races, the festival offered a full day of cultural exchange, performances, and family-friendly activities. The Watertown team also created matching uniforms and developed their own cheer, emphasizing unity and team spirit. Organizers say the experience laid a strong foundation for future participation and hope to expand the team in 2026.

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