P.E.I.’s Filipino community to host dragon boat festival in Charlottetown this summer [Video]

The Filipino community in P.E.I. is bringing a piece of its heritage to Charlottetown this summer by organizing the province’s first known dragon boat racing festival.

Dragon boat racing got its start in southern China about 2,000 years ago. One of the event’s organizers, Vladimir Iscala, said it is also a major part of Filipino culture, and he’s noticed its growing popularity across Canada in recent years.

Last year, he had the chance to join a dragon boat festival in Moncton.

“Everyone was having a blast there. We thought, ‘Why not bring that event here in Charlottetown as well, as a way for the Filipino community to give back?’ And, of course, to support a charitable institution,” Iscala told CBC’s Island Morning.

The festival is set for Aug. 9 at Victoria Park, with part of the proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of P.E.I.

Organizers are now calling on teams across the …