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he Year of the Dragon arrived Monday, ushered in by a dragon run near Oriental’s harbor. This was the second year that the village has celebrated the Asian lunar calendar’s new start.

The Dragon twirls on itself, with help from the dragon dance team. One of the dragon handlers, Ginny Czikra, is at right.

In addition to the serpentine red-orange snake, there was the now-seasoned dragon dance team who brought the dragon to life. Accompanying them were Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons drum circle and children who snapped open fans and marched alongside the dragon wielders. More than a hundred people gathered to cheer on the scene.

Dragon in front of The Bean. Eric Kindle held the head aloft and helped made the dragon chomp its teeth

The dragon had a busy day. Charlie Overcash, whose efforts last winter brought the dragon to town, took it to Pamlico elementary school students Monday morning. With him, he says, was Wendy Osserman, the choreographer who has worked out the coordination among the dancers.

Some photos of the day:

Bringing the dragon to life, Eric Kindle and Carol Small in the front of the queue.

Wendy Osserman leading the dragon along.

Jaden Wong was one of the children who took part in the parade.

Fans of the fans. Before the parade started, the sound of fans snapping open punctuated the air on South Water Street Some of the boys did take a moment for a photo.

Alex Coulter, one of the children given a fan to snap in the parade.

During the dragon run, all of the children gathered in a cluster while the dragon encircled them. Victoria Sylvester carried a red umbrella through the parade.

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Moments before the parade. The dragon awaits its dancers..

Drumming Dragons were sending the beat thru the crowd watching the dragon dance. At left, Ken Laser, at right, Doug Carmichael.

Nol Engel, one of Oriental’s Drumming Dragons who provided the rhythm for the dragon and his crews.

Dragon head above the crowd near Oriental’s Duck Pond.

Dragon swoops.

The dragon quilt that the Oriental History Museum is raffling. The quilt is held by the museum’s Marsha Shirk and Sharon Breitling who were selling raffle tickets. There’s still time to buy a chance at the quilt; the drawing’s in the summer.

Posted Tuesday January 24, 2012 by Melinda Penkava