The annual Dragon Boat festival got a special blessing Thursday as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Buddhist monks blessed the boats in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Organizers say this is part of their "awakening ceremony" to prepare the boats for the event.
The festival will feature over two hundred teams racing for cash and prizes.
"Dragon Boat certainly is one of the parts of the major cultural events in Chinese history, it's certainly going to add color to the fabric of Queens." said festival organizer Henry Wan.
The free event is set for August 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine.
For more information, visit hkdbf-ny.org.