About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2024)
LIFESTYLE THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 15 -21, 2024 • PAGE 13 Enter the dragon: Lunar New Year being celebrated countywide BY GALE HORTON GAY FREELANCE REPORTER February is a festive and celebratory month for many Asians and people of Asian descent as they ring in the Lunar New Year. "Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar," according to the Smithsonian's National Mu seum of Asian Art's website. "It is the most important hol iday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and coun tries with a significant over seas Chinese population." The official new year date varies, according to different cultures. However, it is generally a 15-day cele bration with such traditions as red paper cuttings dec orating windows, cleaning of homes and special family meals to welcome good luck and good fortune. In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the drag on. With DeKalb County having such a diverse in ternational population, it's no surprise that Lunar New Year festivities have taken place and will be happening throughout the community this month. So far, several Lunar New Year events have been held such as a craftmaking ses sion held Feb. 10 at Embry Hills Library in Chamblee and a two-day Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival held Feb. 10 and 11 at Culture Center of Teco in Chamblee. However, there are other events scheduled for the rest of February, including monthlong activities being staged at Stone Mountain Park. This is the park's second annual Lunar New Year Festival and continues through Feb. 25. "This Asian-inspired fes tival pays tribute to the cul ture and New Year traditions of Korean, Chinese, Vietnam ese, and other countries that follow the lunar calendar. It features a special Lunar New Year Drone and Light Show on the largest screen in the world, new lighted parade, cultural craft activities, live entertainment, and other cultural elements," states the park's website. Tickets to this event are $19.99 for the remaining dates: Feb. 17-19 and Feb. 24-25. For tickets or more information, go to www. stonemountainpark.com. Also still to come is the Lunar Lantern Festival set for 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Atlanta Chinatown Mall, 5383 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee. The free event promises craft and game stations, a scavenger hunt, karaoke, drumming perfor mance and several dance performances. The lantern parade is scheduled for 5 to 5:30 p.m. followed by a lion dance and lion interaction. The National Association of Chinese-Americans is hosting its Lunar New Year Banquet from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 17 Canton House Chi nese Restaurant, 4825 Bu ford Highway NE, Chamblee. Tickets $150 for reception, 10-course dinner, and pro gram. For more information, go to naca-atlanta.org/ dragon. A lighted parade is one of the features of Stone Mountain Park’s 2nd annual Lunar New Year Festival. Photos provided These colorful lanterns at Stone Mountain Park are one of the hallmarks of a Lunar New Year event.
