2024 Syracuse Inner Harbor Fest

What to Expect at the Syracuse Inner Harbor Fest

This fantastic way to celebrate the beginning of fall has tons to offer for all those interested in attending. Enjoy family-friendly fun, competitions, and so much more!

Attendees can snack on food trucks and enjoy craft beers, listen to live music, chase adrenaline on carnival rides, shop for goods from local craft vendors, play classic yard games, and more!

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Syracuse Inner Harbor Fest is the Dragon Boat Races to benefit a Clear Path for Veterans, a nonprofit organization that provides support, comfort, and healing to veterans and their families. These Dragon Boats are as incredible as they sound, canoe-like vessels crafted meticulously with ornately craved dragon heads and tails. If you don’t want to participate in the races, watching these vessels on the water is enough of a show!

The races will take place on Saturday evening. Teams of 10 – 22 paddlers will be joined by one drummer and a professional helmsperson in the stern to guide the boat. As the race begins, the drummer will begin to beat a steady beat to keep pace and help paddlers stay in unison. Races are competed over distances of around 180m. Teams are made up of people 12 years of age and older, and anyone under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian in the boat with them.

If you are interested in joining a team, you can participate in a racing how-to seminar and a one-hour practice during the week leading up to the race.