The Annual Charlotte Asian Festival is an annual family-oriented event for the Asian and non-Asian community in and around Mecklenburg County and throughout the Carolinas. The festival celebrates Asian cultures, diversity, ethnicity, roots and history. The Annual Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival Race is an exciting team competition. An important part of the Chinese traditional calendar, dragon boat racing originated over 2,300 years ago on the life-sustaining rivers of southern China. The Charlotte race is an open competition to anyone 15 years of age or older. Heats for the dragon boat race begin at 9:00 a.m. Races will continue throughout the day. The Asian Festival opens at 11:00 a.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. Please note that there is no public parking for the Asian Festival at Ramsey Creek Park. Parking is available at the Rubbermaid Medical Solutions on 16905 Northcross Drive in Huntersville