【正文】
day of the fifthlunar month.dragon boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, drawingcrowds of spectators. dragon boats are generally brightly painted and decoratedcanoes. ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, their heads are shapedlike openmouthed dragons, while the sterns end with a scaly tail. depending onthe length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. a drummer and flagcatcher standat the front of the boat. before a dragon boat enters petition, it must bebrought to life by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony. races can have anynumber of boats peting, with the winner being the first team to grab a flagat the end of the course. annual races take place all over china, hong kong,macao, chinese taiwan, and other overseas chinese munities.