This year, Chinese New Year celebrates 2017 as Year of the Rooster and the 4,714th Chinese year. The Planting Fields Foundation will sponsor its 2nd Annual Chinese New Year Celebration, along with the Long Island Chinese American Association (LICAA) and co-hosted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the celebration at Planting Field’s Coe Hall, the rooms will be decorated with Chinese lanterns. In Chinese tradition, red is regarded as a symbol of energy, happiness and good luck. As part of the celebration, red lucky envelopes with token money will be given to all children who come to Coe Hall over the weekend. The red paper wrapping signifies a hope that happiness and fortune will come to the children.
Coe Hall will be decorated with fruits and flowers traditionally associated with Chinese New Year celebrations, including oranges, which look like the sun and therefore symbolize happiness. Orchids will be arranged in the rooms because in Chinese culture they are considered symbols of nobility, friendship and refinement.
They will be displayed in fine blue and white Chinese ceramic vases. Red peonies will also be
on view.
Thousands of unique, Chinese traditional handcrafts will be given away as prizes for interactive games.
Celebration activities include:
• martial arts performances and tai chi
• music (zither, pipa)
• dances (fans, group dance)
• drums, traditional painting
• calligraphy (including the Lunar New Year Spring Couplet)
• songs by the Long Island Chinese Chorus
• paper cut arts demo and 3D portrait cut
• activity illustration and demonstration
• children’s crafts
• interactive, traditional festival games for kids and adults
Admission is $12 per person; members of Planting Fields Foundation and children under 12 are free. Parking is free.
Visit www.lunarnewyear_longisland.eventbrite.com to pre-purchase tickets. Rain date is Feb. 4.
