Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, the grandest event of the year for the Chinese community, are unfolding globally. On the weekend of February 1st and 2nd, thousands of people gathered at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, to experience the thrilling horse racing moments and participate in a variety of activities to celebrate the New Year.
On a sunny Sunday morning, people of various ethnicities gathered at the racetrack nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains. Dozens of vendors set up booths at the entrance plaza, showcasing products and services. Chinese Northern-style sugar-coated chestnuts were particularly popular, and street-style snacks like grilled skewers were also available for the spectators.
A temporary stage was set up at the entrance plaza where various teams showcased their talents over the two days. Performances included cheongsam fashion shows, dances, Hanfu displays, traditional martial arts demonstrations, and mesmerizing lion and dragon dances, all of which received thunderous applause from the audience.
During the lunch break, lion and dragon dance troupes entered the racetrack. Against the backdrop of intense drumbeats, the majestic golden “male lions” leaped onto the stage followed by performers showcasing the dragon dance. The lion and dragon dance performances are traditional elements of Chinese culture symbolizing prosperity and good fortune, often performed during the Lunar New Year to bring blessings and ward off evil spirits.
In addition to the festive entertainment, dozens of local brands and businesses showcased their products and services at the event. Companies like Ideal Life Health Insurance, who care for the elderly in the community, were present to educate immigrants about health insurance policies and assist them in adapting to life in the United States.
Not far from the entrance, visitors were drawn to the booth of the “World’s Top Show” – Shen Yun Performing Arts. Volunteers promoting Shen Yun shared that the performance in downtown Los Angeles had just concluded in January and would return to various cities in the greater Los Angeles area in March. Shen Yun, through dance and music, conveys historical, contemporary, and mythical stories rooted in Chinese traditional culture, offering a spiritually uplifting experience to the audience.
A couple from mainland China, Mr. Fang Lanfeng and his wife, promoted Chinese traditional culture at the event. His wife showcased her calligraphy skills and handcrafted exquisite bookmarks with auspicious blessings written on them such as prosperity and peace.
Mr. Fang emphasized the importance of celebrating Chinese New Year as a way to pass on valuable cultural traditions. Elements like calligraphy, couplets, landscape paintings, and other traditional cultural symbols not only provide a sense of cultural identity for overseas Chinese but also pique the interest of people from other ethnicities in Chinese culture.
“People now consider Chinese New Year a day of universal celebration. I hope it can become a global holiday and that overseas Chinese can continue to pass down this excellent culture,” expressed Mr. Fang Lanfeng.