Lion dancers from Woo Ching’s White Crane Kung Fu parade down Tyler Street in Chinatown Feb. 2. (Image courtesy of Mandy Sun.)

The sounds of firecrackers and drums echoed throughout Chinatown Feb. 2 for the annual Chinese New Year parade, held on the second Sunday after Lunar New Year began Jan. 25.

Lion dancers in bright colors traveled to 150 stores in the neighborhood. A steady beat by the drums and a masked Happy Buddha dancer accompanied the lions. The lions stopped in the front of each business, bakery or restaurant to inspect the oranges, cabbages and red envelopes placed on small tables. The lions are fed the oranges, cabbages and red envelopes, and in turn, the lion bows three times as a sign of gratitude. They will then throw the oranges into the air and stamp on the cabbages, both symbolizing a spread of good luck. If someone catches an orange, the person will get special good luck for the entire year. Firecrackers are lit to scare evil spirits.

Kung fu groups and dance troupes were invited to perform, including Nam Pai Kung Fu Academy, Hung Gar Kung Fu and Lion Dance, and Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy. Marlon Violette joined Wah Lum 21 years ago. As lion dance is entertaining and colorful, this tradition is important to the Chinatown community. Violette said, “This culture is very deep, has been around for thousands and thousands of years, and this tradition will always be here.”

Gary Bogoff visited Chinatown for the second time to see the parade. He felt amazed by the colors, costumes, firecrackers, and dances. Bogoff said, “The fact that everybody is sharing the history and culture is very important … I’m glad to see it happen.”

The annual lion dance parade was hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. It also held a cultural village at its 90 Tyler Street headquarters. The Pao Arts Center had crafts and a lion dance workshop, while Chinatown Main Street had cultural activities at the Chinatown Trade Center.