City of Vaughan Hosts Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

Vaughan.snapd.com
March 1, 2019

Together in partnership with the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Vaughan (FCCV) and the Markham Richmond Hill Vaughan Chinese Business Association (MRVCBA) Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council were delighted to help residents and guests usher in the Lunar New Year recently. The special afternoon event at Vaughan City Hall featured a variety of performances and ceremonies, all in celebration of the Year of the Pig. The popular annual event marks the start of 15 days of celebration – a cultural holiday that commemorates the beginning of a new Asian calendar – that typically takes place in late January or early February of each year. It’s also known as the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year. Mayor Bevilaqua commented that the “Lunar New Year is an opportunity for all residents to reflect on the important and lasting city-building contributions Vaughan's Asian-Canadian community continues to make as volunteers, public servants, entrepreneurs, academics and artists” and that the popular event is an opportunity for residents to celebrate the customs and backgrounds that make up Vaughan’s vibrant diversity. Throughout the afternoon festivities included a traditional lion dance, an eye-dotting ceremony and a visit from the God of Fortune. There was stage entertainment, including musical performances, cultural dances and a magic show, plus children of all ages enjoyed games, colouring activities, Chinese calligraphy and button making. For the adults there was bodhi meditation, energy healing and a cooking demonstration. This year, Joseph Tsang, radio host for A1 Chinese Radio was tapped as the Master of Ceremonies. No doubt, when it was all over, residents who celebrate this auspicious occasion finished the day by welcoming the Lunar New Year with other important traditions such as thoroughly cleaning one's house to bring good luck and exchanging red money envelopes to encourage prosperity, welcome new beginnings and celebrate good fortune and well-being. Happy Lunar New Year!