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riental celebrated the Chinese New Year Saturday, a few days after the official date. It’s easier to celebrate on a weekend, after all. It’s also called the Lunar New Year and it marks the beginning of the Lunar calendar.

The Chinese zodiac has 12 animals and gives each one a full year. This time around, it’s the Year of the Pig.

The Chinese Dragon takes to the streets for the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig.

To celebrate, the smaller of the two New Year’s Dragons was brought out for a parade on Hodges St. Several of Oriental’s restaurants joined in by offering Chinese themed dishes. Larry Summers, organizer of the event, gave a cooking demonstration on Hodges St., using an old cook book with both Chinese and English instructions.

A food demonstration from Larry Summers using Pei Mei’s Chinese Cook Book and plates of General Tso’s Chicken with shrimp fried rice and an egg roll from Dave Sargent at M & M’s.

In the afternoon, residents came out into the cold to bang pots, pans, and other noise makers in an effort to entice the dragon out into the street. The Dragon and Piggly Wiggly’s Mr. Pig emerged to dance through the streets for the gathered residents. There was a brief, tense moment where Dragon pondered Pig’s nutritional potential.

After a few runs up and down Hodges St. (with Pig safely out of reach) Oriental’s Chinese Dragon returned to its lair until next year.

Drummers from the Oriental Drumming Dragons wait for their cue.

Piggly Wiggly’s Mr. Pig helps out with the ‘Pig’ portion of the New Year celebration.

Behind the scenes, members of the parade get ready.

Crowds cheer from the deck of the New Village Gallery.

The sound of pots and pans, along with a few drums, lure the Dragon out into the street.

Dragon and Pig bow to the crowd.

Dragon ponders the culinary potential.

Other pigs and dragons watched from the crowd.

Carol Small controls a portion of the dancing Dragon.

At parade’s end.

Inspired by the art of his grand niece and her friend, organizer Larry Summers is considering adding a children’s drawing contest to next year’s event.

Past Chinese New Year Events

• Chinese New Year 2018 – Year of the Dog
• Chinese New Year 2017 – Year of the Rooster

Posted Monday February 11, 2019 by Allison DeWeese