Eastern cultural will descend upon the banks of Lake Lanier as the Atlanta Dragon Boat Festival launches its competition Saturday in Gainesville. The 19th annual festival will begin with Buddhist monks blessing the Dragon Boats at 7 a.m. Sept. 13 at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. The first race of the biggest Hong Kong cultural event will follow at 7:45 a.m. and continue until noon.