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Asian Lunar New Year events celebrate the ‘Year of the Dog’

Three Festive Brooklyn Celebrations Take Place in One Day

March 8, 2018 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
A young child is happy to meet the dancing lion at the parade on 18th Avenue. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta
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Three festive Lunar New Year celebrations took place on the same day in nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods on Sunday, March 4. A parade on 18th Avenue started things off, followed by an awards presentation at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street before yet another event celebrating the “Year of the Dog” at New Utrecht High School.

The 18th Avenue celebration in Bensonhurst was sponsored by the Brooklyn Chinese Social Services Center and was hosted by Assemblymember Peter Abbate (D-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst-Sunset Park). It began at 11 a.m. at the corner of 65th Street and stretched all the way to 80th Street. It featured marchers and dancers dressed in festive costumes and an array of traditional Chinese lion dancers.

At 1 p.m., an awards presentation took place at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street. The ceremony was sponsored by the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association and hosted by Assemblymember Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park-Bay Ridge).

Assemblymember Peter Abbate marches with members of the Chinese American Social Services Center on 18th Avenue.

Elected officials attending included Abbate, Stringer and City Councilmember Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) took part in the event. Stringer and NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas M. Chan received Outstanding Leadership Awards from the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association.

“It was an honor to celebrate with the Chinese-American community here in Brooklyn, and I wish everybody a great Year of the Dog!” Brannan told the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

At the same time, State Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-I-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst-Marine Park-Gerritsen Beach), together with the Chinese American Partnership Inc., hosted an annual Lunar New Year celebration at New Utrecht High School, located at 1601 80th St.

Young ladies are seen in colorful costumes at the Asian Lunar New Year event at New Utrecht.

The celebration featured the Lion Dance, Kung Fu and Tai Chi martial arts, a fashion show, Chinese opera, singing and dancing from local public and academy schools and a civic and community information booth.  Performances featured an array of talent, including professional entertainers.

“It was wonderful to celebrate my 17th Annual Asian Lunar New Year event with so many members of the community,” Golden told the Eagle. “This year, 4716, is the Year of the Dog. The zodiac [sign] of the Dog symbolizes friendliness, loyalty, diligence and bravery.

“I want to thank all the talented performers and everyone who made this year’s celebration another great success. The Asian-American community continues to play an important role in the growth and prosperity of our great city. I wish everyone a happy, healthy and successful Lunar New Year,” he said.

 

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