The Chinese New Year starts on the first evening of a new year's month with a new moon and lasts for 15 days. It is also celebrated in China as the beginnings of Spring.
A traditional Lion Dance kicks off the festivities in Hilo
This year the Chinese New Year started on February 7th and will last for 15 days until ending with the Lantern Festival.
On that last day of the festival whole cities and towns in China are decorated with lanterns to celebrate the last day of the full moon.
Overview of a section of Kalakaua Park during the 6th Annual Chinese New Year Festival in Hilo.
According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we are now celebrating the year 4706 or Year of the Rat.
A little boy all set to enter the Chinese costume contest.
Saturday 15th of February, the 6th Annual Chinese New Year Festival was held in Hilo at Kalakaua Park. This was the biggest event yet. More booths, more people, more contests and attractions.
We ran into our friend Sue and her daughter Cindy there. Sue did her part to dress festively!
Part of the celebration included performances by dancers from the Phoenix Dance Chambers of Oahu led by Diane Letoto. The ensemble also performed at the Palace Theater in Hilo the previous evening.
Young performers from the Phoenix Dance Chambers charmed the crowd
Chinese Flickering Fan Dance
Mongolian Horsemen Dance
Hunan Province Hunters Dance
The Firecracker Dance was one of the highlights!
That is me, standing in the middle, under the huge banyan tree anchoring one corner of Kalakaua Park
Alice Moon, without whose hard work, initiative and imagination there would not be so many wonderful events and festivals celebrated in Hilo throughout the year! I caught Alice in a moment of contemplation sitting by the statue of King David Kalakaua, our 'Merrie Monarch' and last King of Hawaii.
The next Hilo festival will be the "45th Merry Monarch Hula Competitions" held every year in honor of King David Kalakaua and held the week after Easter every year. On Saturday, April 5th, go to Kalakaua Park after the downtown Merrie Monarch Parade, where we will again celebrate our "Merrie Monarch" in the park named for him.
For more about the 6th Annual Chinese New Year's Festival in Hilo, please visit my pages at my foodiesleuth pages at Gather.com
