On the past Saturday, the Orange County Great Park in Southern California held its first-ever Lunar New Year parade to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Horse. The weather was clear, with thousands of people lining the streets near the Visitor Center and the Great Park Balloon, eagerly watching as the Asian groups paraded by.
Organized by the upcoming Asian American History Museum (AAHM) at the Great Park and co-sponsored by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCC), the event was a festive showcase of Asian heritage. Chairman of the AAHM committee and Executive Director of SCCCC, Yulan Zhong, stated that the Lunar New Year parade aimed to increase awareness and support for the Asian American Museum. The sunny weather added to the festive atmosphere of the day.
Orange County is home to the third-largest Asian population in the United States, with Asians making up over 45% of the population in Irvine. A total of 24 Asian groups participated in the parade, representing diverse ethnicities such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian, Cambodian, and Filipino. Children from bilingual schools showcased traditional ethnic costumes and cultural features.
The celebration received support from the Irvine City government and officials at various levels. Mayor Larry Agran of Irvine, along with several city council members, U.S. Congressman Dave Min from the 47th district, State Senator Steven Choi from the 37th district, and State Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris from the 73rd district, all participated in the event.
During her speech, Councilwoman Melinda Liu mentioned that the event, rooted in tradition, celebrates multiculturalism. She expressed pride in proposing the New Year celebration at the council meeting, highlighting the values of strength, resilience, and progress symbolized by the Year of the Horse.
Former Irvine Mayor Steven Choi remarked on Irvine’s diverse population, with nearly half being of Asian descent, and emphasized the importance of celebrating the Lunar New Year with a parade in Irvine, reflecting the increasing global recognition of the festival.
Groups representing various Asian ethnicities, such as the Korean community dressed in beautiful traditional attire, and the Vietnamese contingent showcasing elegant yellow floral prints on their long skirts, added to the vibrant cultural display. Vietnamese yoga instructor Ang Wing expressed delight in participating in the New Year parade in Irvine.
The Chinese zodiac associates twelve animals with twelve earthly branches, completing a cycle every twelve years. The Vietnamese zodiac shares similarities with the Chinese zodiac, except for substituting the cat for the rabbit.
Supervisor Katrina Foley of the Orange County’s Fifth District highlighted the county’s significant Vietnamese-American population, the second-largest Chinese and Korean-American communities in the United States, and the largest Taiwanese-American community in the country. She wished everyone a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Year of the Horse.
Among the audience were families spanning three generations, using the parade as an opportunity for a family reunion, while many residents brought their children along. After the parade, people lingered around the Year of the Horse decorations, reluctant to leave and capturing moments with their families and friends.
Resident Bao Mei expressed her excitement attending the Lunar New Year celebration in Irvine for the first time, appreciating the festive ambiance and the diverse participation, including depictions of iconic figures like Guan Gong and Sun Wukong alongside the involvement of Westerners.
Sheriff Michael Kent of Irvine shared his pride in leading the police department’s participation in the parade, ensuring community comfort and safety while celebrating their cultural, religious, and traditional heritage. It was the first Lunar New Year parade in Orange County, a result of over a year of planning collaboration between the organizers and law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the parade, the organizers arranged a variety of activities including cultural performances, entertainment, booths, and food stalls. The South Coast Chinese Orchestra performed a lively rendition of “Prairie Galloping” on the grand stage, kicking off the entertainment program.
At the booths, representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) gathered public feedback to improve county-wide transportation systems, including buses, highways, railways, accessibility features, and street planning.
The Chinese community’s booth activities were particularly vibrant. Some booths provided spring-themed paper cutting demonstrations, while the non-profit organization Orange County Chinese Artists Association painted silk fans for attendees, inscribing heartfelt blessings or names upon request, forming long queues in front of their booth.
President Kong Dezhen mentioned that the association, celebrating its 35th anniversary, currently boasts around 180 members engaged in learning calligraphy and painting together, promoting traditional culture while fostering joy and unity among the elderly members.
Children particularly enjoyed the various games incorporated with horse-themed blessings, such as “spirit of the dragon horse,” “sky-horse soaring,” “galloping horses in success,” creating a festive and auspicious atmosphere throughout the day.