By Amanda Moses
The sound of drums and cheers resounded down Mott and Canal Streets where parade participants gathered for the start of the annual Lunar New Year Parade.
Dragon dancers spun around in circles while dignitaries and elected officials, such as New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senator Chuck Schumer, Mayor Eric Adams, and Grand Marshall Assemblymember Grace Lee, discussed the importance of the holiday.
Shouts of Kung Hei Fat Choi (gōng xǐ fā cái,) which is Cantonese for “Wishing you well for the New Year,” rung out amongst the crowd as plumes of confetti burst into the air. The celebrations kicked off with the traditional lion feeding ceremony, where elected officials and dignitaries held a fishing pole with lettuce as bait over the dancers. This interaction symbolizes the invitation of wealth and prosperity to start the new year.
Thousands lined the streets, many reaching their hands out in hopes of touching a dragon dancer, another symbol of good luck. While others clapped watching marchers dance and throw red envelop filled with coupons and other trinkets to commemorate the Year of the Dragon.
The parade culminated on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets making its way to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Photos by Amanda Moses
