MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — On Saturday, thousands packed the Henry Maier Festival Park grounds on Milwaukee's lakefront for the 12th annual Dragon Boat Festival.

More than 50 teams signed up to race as hundreds of paddlers took to the water to compete.

"The Dragon Boat Festival is a tradition in Asian cultures, and it has been practiced in like 60 countries around the world," said Yujing Wang, the festival's marketing director. "So Asian American culture here in Milwaukee and in the United States is so important, and we want to share this with the community, with the local people."

CBS 58

Some paddlers, like Rick Fong, said they've been coming to the event for years.

"The camaraderie, the fun, the fellowship, the environment," Fong said. "It gives you history, and you get to have some friends!"

There was also music, food trucks and vendor booths for attendees.

"Milwaukee has a name, which is City of Festivals, and we want to have the Asian American festivals be part of it, and we should be part of it," Wang said.

For more information, click here.