Sen. Golden hosts first Asian Lion and Dragon Dance Festival
State Sen. Marty Golden has initiated what he hopes will become a new tradition in Dyker Heights — the first Asian Lion and Dragon Dance Festival at Leif Ericson Park at 66th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway. On Sunday, Golden hosted the event with New York Lotus Light, a Brooklyn not-for-profit corporation.
The beautiful, cool afternoon was filled with lively and colorfully dressed entertainers parading along and carrying a wide array of Asian flags as they performed the traditional lion dance for a receptive audience of elected officials, community leaders and families anxiously awaiting the appearance of the dragon.
It took nine people to carry the dragon through the park as the crowd shouted and cheered it along. A group of young women marched along with the dragon in brightly colored gowns, carrying flowers and holding parasols.