As rain dotted the dock at RiverPlace Marina, the formal dotting of the dragon boat eyes signaled the awakening the dragon and blessing of the boats Saturday morning. The annual event marked the beginning of the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race season. The celebration also included a formal Buddhist ceremony by a Buddhist Master from Portland Miao Fa Temple and a parade by the boats in the Willamette River, complete with a water-cannon salute from a Portland Fire Boat. The dotting of the eyes transforms the dragon artwork into a real dragon, “awakening” the legendary creature and promoting safety and good luck in the coming months of practice. The Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race is held June 10 and 11 on the Willamette River in downtown Portland, with over 60 teams – local, national and international – expected to compete. 📷 by seanspix #portland #dragonboats