Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival, a two-day event, returns to Hartford, Connecticut from August 16-17. The festival will be held on Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, where boat races can also be viewed. Colorfully decorated boats powered by competitive rowers race along the Connecticut River making for an eye-catching sight. Each athlete has a story of his or her own to tell – three years ago when I covered this event I interviewed a group of women from Pennsylvania, all breast cancer survivors, who got involved in the competition to help empower themselves physically and spiritually.   Participation in the boat races is fee-based and is now closed, with 92 teams signed on. First held in 2000, the…