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t is the Year of the Rat, and the beginning of a new Chinese zodiac cycle. Traditionally, the Chinese Dragon – the smaller dragon seen on the December 31st New Year run -makes an appearance on Hodges Street in celebration of the Chinese (also called the Lunar) New Year.

Last year was the inaugural Dragon Burn, an event produced by the Pamlico Arts Council. This year the two events coincided, one feeding into the next with the Chinese Dragon making an appearance at the burn and bowing to the effigy.

Seen on the street before the dragon run.

The Chinese Dragon roars down Hodges St. during the first run.

Before the run there was an Asian cuisine cooking demonstration on Hodges St. Local restaurants served Asian inspired dishes, and the New Village Brewery hosted Mahjong lessons.

New Village Brewery hosted a Mahjong learning game to teach newcomers how to play the Chinese tile game.

Discarded Mahjong tiles.

As the sun set, crowds gathered at the Red Rooster to watch the dragon, crafted by Pamlico Arts Council’s Marguerite Chadwick-Juner, burn. Council President Angie Propst says the burns have been a great success, and the fundraiser has allowed the council to invest in music, literature, and arts programming for the whole of Pamlico County.

The crowd turns to watch as the firefighters take their place.

The dragon close-up shows the painted head and wings, along with the full-view.

Rains dampened the exterior, causing the interior to catch alight first. It resulted in a fire breathing dragon.

Scroll on to see more from the day’s events….

The drumming dragons set the beat for the run.

The dragon procession.

Larry Summers leads the dragon maneuvers.

Seen on the street before the dragon run.

One of the youngest members of the dragon team.

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Putting the finishing touches on the dragon for the dragon burn.

Faces from the Dragon Burn: Pamlico Arts President Angie Propst, Dragon Burn poster designer Morgan Kinsey, and one of several kids playing with cattails near the effigy.

Large fireworks line either side of the figure.

The burn begins.

An illuminated crowd watches from the other side of the fish pond.

Fire Chief Mike Guzzo keeps an eye on the burn.

Einstein’s quote, nearly consumed.

Assistant Fire Chief Eric Kindle lights fireworks that didn’t catch the first time around.

The scaffolding falls apart.

A firefighter surveys what’s left.

Posted Monday January 27, 2020 by Allison DeWeese