Long Beach residents and families celebrated the annual Lunar New Year on Saturday, feeding the lion envelopes and lettuce for great fortune and luck.
The celebration, hosted by 2ND & PCH along with the Sister Cities of Long Beach and various sponsors, invited attendees to enter the Year of the Horse with cultural entertainment and activities. The Year of the Horse symbolises strength, energy, determination and moving forward.
Notable speakers took to the podium including Richer San, chair of the Sister Cities, and the first lady of Long Beach Niva Nienes Richardson.
“Today we gather not only to celebrate the new year, but to honor traditions,” San said. “Cultures, families, and global friendship make this community so special.”
The Kokoro Taiko Drummers of Long Beach kicked off the musical performances, which also included the Sopheary Band and the kulintang talents of Rogelle Zamora.
Performances by the Mera Dance Troupe of Long Beach, Dalisay Filipino American Dance Co, the Los Angeles-based Bolly Beat Dance Troupe, and the Ling’s Dance Academy from Artesia showcased artistic diversity.
Resource booths hosted by Cambodia Town offered free compost bins to Long Beach residents, in collaboration with the City, along with photo shoots and other fun activities presented by the Sister Cities of Long Beach. Festival attendee Amy Shimizu brought her family to the festival to celebrate and enjoy the cultural event.
“It’s great to see people out here with different backgrounds and ethnicities coming out here celebrating the Lunar New Year,” Shimizu said. “It’s great to see all the different generations here too.”
The main emcee of the event Soup Pha performed with the audience to celebrate the joy of the event. Austin Bouman entertained the crowd with the beauty of martial arts during his skillful demonstration of Shaolin kung fu and wushu.
Families welcomed the main stars with a dance presentation by the Awakened Blessing Lions Troupe as the event came to a conclusion. Nathaniel Ross and his family offered envelopes with money and lettuce to the Lions as it represents luck and good fortune.
“They love to see the lion dance and the other cultural dance events,” Ross said. “The girls gave some lucky money to the lions and they had fun doing that.”
For future events and celebrations happening at 2ND and PCH, visit 2ndandpch.com or their accounts on Instagram or Facebook.
