Revelers Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Sunset Park Parade
Sunset Park’s Chinatown was a festive scene Sunday afternoon as the community gathered to celebrate the Year of the Rooster with the 30th annual Brooklyn Lunar New Year Parade.
As revelers set off glitter and confetti-filled poppers and children sprayed each other with cans of silly string, an abundance of red flooded 8th Avenue—red lanterns (believed to ward off bad luck), banners and scrolls (often hung in pairs with wishes for good fortune), ornaments, paintings, elaborate paper cuttings, flowers, balloons, and clothing filled the street. In Chinese culture, red is considered a lucky and auspicious color, hence the more red on display promises a more prosperous new year.
After dance performances by a group of local school children, a string of community representatives and elected officials spoke and wished the crowds “gung hay fat choy.” Speakers included the CEO of the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, Paul Mak; Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez; Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez; NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer; and former NYC Comptroller, John Liu.
Following the speeches, a stockpile of firecrackers were ignited (to ward off evil spirits), hundreds of red and gold balloons were released down onto the crowd, and the parade started—starring a menagerie of colorful lions and one long, spirited dragon.
Lions, along with dragons, were once considered mythical creatures in China, and both are believed to bring good luck and fortune. Two people typically perform in the elaborate lion costume (one at the head and one at the rear of the body), while multiple people handle the dragon, using rods to move the various sections of its undulating body.
According to the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, 2017 is year of the rooster. Babies born this year will be roosters, sharing the astrological sign with those born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, or 2005.
Roosters are said to be hardworking, trustworthy, punctual, and honest. They are extremely organized and tend to keep a tidy home. Roosters are also very social, enjoy being the center of attention, and can tend to be “cocky.”
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous year of the rooster!