By Lisa Herrick
Lunar New Year is a significant, annual festival for many Asian cultures, celebrated with festivities, parades, food, dragon dances and more. If you are not of Asian descent it’s a great way to get immersed in another culture without buying airplane tickets for the family.
Lunar New Year starts on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the fifteenth day. The date varies each year but is usually celebrated between late January to the beginning of February on a western calendar with many different Asian cultures and traditions represented.
Lunar New Year celebrations can be found in many local restaurants, markets and schools yet the following are some of the best ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year with kids in our area. Bonus: Some of them are FREE.
Oshogatsu in Olympia: Japanese New Year Celebration
The Olympia-Kato Sister City Association is hosting a Japanese New Year Celebration, Oshogatsu in Olympia. There will be live entertainment showcasing traditional Japanese dance and music, taiko drumming and vocal performances. It is a family-friendly event including make & take crafts, calligraphy demonstrations, sumi paintings, paper cuttings, and other traditional Japanese crafts. Additionally, there will be a “Taste of Japan” Kitchen with Japanese foods prepared and served on site. You can also sample a taste of fresh Japanese mochi and experience “Mochitsuki”-the ceremonial making of the chewy rice cakes that are traditional fare for Japanese New Year by a professional Mochitsuki troupe.
When: Saturday, January 18, 2014
Where: The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street SE, Downtown Olympia
Cost: Event admission is free with a suggested donation of $2/person or $5/family
More Information: Oshogatsu in Olympia
Chinatown Tour, Wing Luke Musuem, and Dim Sum
Celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse with a tour to Seattle’s International District. The excursion combines history, education, fun and food while learning about Chinese traditions. The tour includes a visit to Wing Luke Museum, traditional Asian markets and historical sites, and an opportunity to discover how Chinese fortune cookies and noodles are made. The tour includes a sit-down presentation and then a roasted duck. After the tour, dim sum or shopping at Uwajimaya the largest Asian market in Seattle, is available.
When: Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Depart & Return from Lacey City Hall
Cost: $49.00
More Information: City of Lacey Parks & Recreation
Chinese New Year Celebration with Chinese Lion Dancers
Celebrate with the Olympia Tai-Chi and Kung Fu Club performing the traditional Lion Dance and Kung Fu to ring in the Chinese New Year of the Horse. The club’s Kung Fu style is the Hung-Gar Southern Style form and have performed to local audiences at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
When: Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 7:30p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Olympia Timberland Library
Cost: Free
More Information: Olympia Timberland Library
Asian New Year Celebration at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center
The Island Nation of Tahiti (French Polynesia) will serve as the host nation for the 16th annual Asian New Year Celebration for the Asian Pacific Cultural Center (APCC). Over 15 different Asia-Pacific Island nations will be presenting traditional and contemporary dance and music performances throughout the day. There will be retail booths selling exotic and unique goods and materials. There will also be food booths serving traditional Asia Pacific Island cuisine. The host nation of Tahiti will have the honor of presenting their island culture and traditions in addition to a line up of entertainment throughout the day and ongoing arts and crafts workshops that will cater to kids and families.
When: Saturday, February 15, 2014
Where: Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall
Cost: Free
More Information: Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Host Your Own Lunar New Year Party
The Lunar New Year focuses on bringing luck for the coming year and looking forward to spring’s arrival-both great reasons to celebrate! There are several traditions associated with Lunar New Year, specifically Chinese New Year. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom to get rid of any bad luck that may be lingering from the previous year and all debts are paid. At midnight on New Year households open all of the doors and windows to let go of the old year, and end the night with firecrackers to chase away any evil spirits. The next day, red envelopes are exchanged with family and friends for good luck (often with money in them) and everyone is greeted with “Happy New Year.”
Most of the dishes served during Lunar New Year are symbolic of something positive and hopeful. Noodles represent longevity and therefore should never be cut. Dishes made with oranges represent wealth and good fortune. Consider serving a whole fish as the head and tail symbolize the year’s beginning and end.
A fun way to include the kids in party planning is to have them make red lanterns from colorful crepe paper and hang throughout the house. Or make homemade fortune cookies and write creative fortunes to amuse guests. Another wonderful Chinese New Year tradition involves writing well wishes on red pieces of paper and placing them around the home.
Gung Hey Fat Choy-Happy New Year and be prosperous!
