Lunar New Year celebrations begin on Saturday

A Lunar New Year celebration was held on Riverfront Avenue in front of the Chinese Cultural Center on Saturday.

The event featured a Dragon and Lion Dance and Prime Minister Daniel Smith addressed the crowd.

“Lunar New Year has been celebrated in Alberta for decades, reflecting the long and proud history of the Chinese Canadian community in our province, and this is a great opportunity to share this rich tradition with one another,” said Smith.

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, representing growth and innovation.

The wood element represents stability, loyalty, faithfulness, creativity and growth, while the dragon represents strength, luck, harvest and prosperity.

“May the Year of the Dragon bring you great health, good fortune and abundant prosperity,” said Calgary Mayor Joyti Gondek. “The wise men who offer us spiritual guidance during the Lunar New Year have called this year a year of honor and luck in Chinese tradition.

“I'm very optimistic that will happen.”

On Saturday night, Bright Lights Winterfest presented a Lunar New Year fireworks display in the Westgate community.

On Sunday, the festivities will continue at noon with the Dragon Dance at the Chinese Cultural Center.