Lion dances, dragon kites and steamed buns are coming back to the bayshore.

China Camp Village's signature Heritage Day Festival returns Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic site on San Pablo Bay, four miles east of San Rafael. Admission is free.

The festival fills the 19th-century fishing village with Chinese cultural performances, including drumming, traditional music and costumed lion dancers. Families can play mahjong, snack on steamed buns and watch kids build toy boats and craft dragon kites along the shoreline.

Friends of China Camp, the nonprofit that has operated the 1,514-acre state park since 2012, is hosting the event alongside the California State Parks Foundation, according to the festival listing on the Friends of China Camp website. The Pt. San Pedro Road Coalition is also promoting the event to the broader San Rafael community.

A village with deep roots

China Camp Village is the only surviving historic Chinese shrimp-fishing village of the more than two dozen that once dotted San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. At its peak in the 1880s, nearly 500 residents harvested more than 3 million pounds of shrimp per year. The village had general stores, a marine supply store, a barber shop and shrimp drying sheds.

Frank Quan, the last original shrimp fisherman to live at the site, stayed in his cabin at the park until his death at age 90 in August 2016. His grandfather, Quan Hung Quock, built a general store at the village in 1895.

The 75-acre historic village district has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

How to get there

China Camp Village is at 100 China Camp Village Rd., San Rafael. From Highway 101, head east on North San Pedro Road for five miles. Festival activities are free, though standard state park day-use parking fees may apply.

Friends of China Camp also hosted a plein air painting event at the park in June, with classes and an art sale benefiting the nonprofit.