THE Chinese community on Saipan celebrated the Lunar New Year with fireworks and the Lion Dance on Sunday, Jan. 22.
Among the business establishments that provided the fireworks display at 12 midnight were Moonlight in Chalan Kanoa and Ocean Star restaurant in Garapan.
At 8 a.m. on Sunday, the traditional Lion Dance was performed at the JP Center in Garapan.
The Lion Dance, which is believed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits, was also performed at other business establishments throughout the day.
Chinese Association of Saipan Director Rose Chan is hoping that the Year of the Rabbit will be good for the tourism industry and island businesses.
Crowne Plaza Saipan, for its part, “wishes you and your loved ones an incredible Year of the Rabbit. We hope each one of you receives an abundance of health and happiness and creates many more memorable moments in the year ahead.”
In an interview, Lolita Velasco, the global membership chair of the Saipan Marianas Lions Club, said she likes Chinese culture, “and I also hope that this new year will truly be a good year. I hope that the Lion Dance will bring good luck to our organization and the business community.”
Yu Shin, a visitor, said: “I hope this year will be a better year for us. My wish is that my family and friends will always have unity and we will always be in good health.”
In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Chinese community members perform the traditional Lion Dance in the parking lot of the JP Center in Garapan on Sunday morning.
Community members and visitors pose for a photo with some of the Lion dancers at the JP Center in Garapan on Sunday morning.
