Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino in partnership with California Culture Festival will be ringing in the Year of the Snake at its second annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 1 from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm at the downtown Court Street Square. The free family event will feature cultural musical performances, demonstrations, arts and craft activities, food vendors, art galleries and much more.
“San Bernardino’s Lunar New Year Celebration is a vibrant reflection of our diverse community and a wonderful opportunity to honor the rich traditions and contributions of our Asian American residents,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “It brings us together to celebrate culture, unity, and the shared hope for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead.”
The Court Street Square, located at 349 North E Street will be transformed by the San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, much like recent celebrations such as the Christmas themed Miracle on Court Street in December and the Dia de los Muertos festival in November.
“The Court Street Square is quickly becoming the primary location for festive gatherings in San Bernardino,” said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Ernesto Salinas. “The City is committed to bringing amazing cultural celebrations downtown that are fun, colorful, and educational.”
The festivities will include:
- Musical performances and cultural demonstrations, featuring traditional dragon and lion dances.
- Arts and Craft activities for the whole family, featuring Calligraphy, Origami, and Snake puppets.
- Multiple staged photo areas.
- A gallery highlighting San Bernardino’s Sister Cities from the East.
- Food vendors and merchants selling goods.
- Community Groups and Sponsor informational booths.
This year marks the Year of the Snake, and the snake will play a featured role in traditional musical performances and throughout the celebration.
Every year, a different animal is celebrated on a twelve-year rotating cycle with traits and symbols that hold meaning for what’s to come in the new year. The snake signifies charm, transformation, intelligence, and creativity, but can also be associated with mystery, independence, and cautiousness.
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures. It reflects the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and widely observed throughout Asia, and in Asian-American communities throughout the United States.
In some countries, the Lunar New Year celebration lasts for fifteen days. This year, the celebration runs from January 29 through February 12.
“I am proud to see our city embrace such a meaningful celebration that highlights the beauty of our collective heritage,” added Mayor Tran.
Event sponsors include California Culture Festival, DAO Real Estate Group, H&H Lending, Inland Chinese Association, Lucky Star Marketing, MVS, Inc, Hiep Thanh Supermarket.
