Locke Welcomes the Year of the Dragon: Sunday, February 18, 2024
The Chinese New Year is also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival in China. The celebration spans 3 weeks. and each day carries a special meaning with a list of things you should and should not do. There are special foods prepared in each household and each region has its own specialties. The new year is a chance to start fresh, visit loved ones, have a family feast, enjoy local festivals, welcome the new year and share best wishes with each other.
Against all odds, the sun shone brightly on Sunday, February 18, 2024, for Locke’s second annual Chinese New Year Festival. Even when weather reports foreshadowed hurricane winds and blinding rain, about 500 persons showed up in Locke to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Festive banners in red and gold adorned the buildings along Main Street.
The piece de resistance was the lion and dragon dance performance by Eastern Ways. The 72-ft lion pranced through Main Street dazzling visitors. The lions stopped at selected business establishments to “pick the greens” to ensure a prosperous year. The business will tie a red envelope filled with money to a head of lettuce above the front entrance. The lion would approach the lettuce like a curious cat, consume the lettuce and spit out the leaves, but not the money.
A special lecture by Ronald Fong, president and CEO of the California Grocers Association executive director of the California Grocers Association, and David SooHoo, celebrity chef, traced the role Chinese immigrants played in the grocery and restaurant business.
In the opening ceremonies, LF president Stuart Walthall introduced special guests Henry Li, CEO of Regional Transit, Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Hume, FM bank manager John Hospenthal, Alex Eng, president o Chinese American Council of Sacramento, and LF board members Darrel Woo, Eileen Leung, Honey Lum, Clarence Chu, Eva Chu and Mark Miller.
A dozen lions frolicked along Main Street teasing the old and young alike.
Visitors to the Pearl interact with Alfred Yee after his lecture on Chinese New Year celebrations by overseas Chinse families.
The 72-foot dragon wended its way down Main Street.
Plum tree collage from art activity in the Chinese School.