14 Get ready to celebrate Lunar New Year in Queens
Make your plans now to participate in a plethora of colorful and festive parades and parties
QUEENS WEEKLY, FEB. 3, 2019
The Lunar New Year parade in downtown Flushing is one of the many Lunar New Year events taking place in Queens. File photo
BY MORGAN CHITTUM
Tuesday, Feb. 5, marks
the beginning of the Lunar
New Year and Year
of the Pig, which means
Queens will be exploding
with lively events
celebrating this ancient
Asian tradition.
Lunar New Year signifies
the start of the Chinese
calendar year. Each year is
defined by a specific animal.
These 12 zodiac signs
include rat, ox, tiger, rabbit,
dragon, snake, horse,
sheep, monkey, rooster,
dog and pig.
Although the timeline
is up for debate, the Lunar
New Year has been
observed since roughly
the Shang Dynasty in
1766 B.C.
The origins are not
fully known, however, old
tales say the beginning
of the tradition sprung
from a fight facing a beast
called “Year.”
“Year” wreaked havoc,
causing destruction
to property and people.
His victims found that he
feared fire, loud sounds
and the color red, thus
launching a series of traditions
such as lighting
fireworks and large, redcolored
parades.
And the order of the
signs? Legend has it the
order of the calendar is
based off of who arrived
to the Jade Emperor’s
party first. The pig, being
the 12th animal
on the calendar, got
there last.
The Year of the Pig
predicts good luck for
those born on its 12-year
cycle: 1935, 1947, 1959,
1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
and 2019.
Individuals who are
born on the Year of the
Pig are assumed to be
charismatic, energetic
and up for any task
regardless of its
excitement.
This year the borough
has several events to offer
residents of all ages
for Lunar New Year.
On Feb. 9, Flushing
is having its free annual
Lunar New Year parade,
which has historically
brought out large
bustling crowds. The
event features brightly
colored floats, steel
drummers, firecrackers
and dragon dancers.
Starting at 9:30 a.m.,
the day will begin with
coffee and donuts as a
warm-up reception for
attendees at the Greater
Flushing Chamber of
Commerce. The parade
will commence at 11 a.m.
on Union Street and 37th
Avenue in Flushing.
That same day, Queens
Botanical Garden in Flushing
will hold Lunar New
Year-themed workshops,
crafts and performances.
They will be selling lucky
plants all week in honor
of the holiday.
Queens Botanical
Garden is located at 43-50
Main St. in Flushing. For
more information, visit
queensbotanical.org.
Finally, Flushing
Town Hall will host a
Chinese New Year Temple
Bazaar on Feb. 17. The
Bazaar will offer lantern
making, art-making
and will provide food to
celebrate the occasion.
The event will have
two sessions for guests,
one at 11 a.m. and the
other at 2 p.m. Attendees
will also have the opportunity
to contribute to
the Red Envelope Show.
Flushing Town Hall is
located at 137-35 Northern
Blvd. For more information,
log on to www.
f lushingtownhall.org.
/queensbotanical.org
/www.f
/www.f
/lushingtownhall.org