CHINATOWN — An estimated 30,000 people gathered in the Chinatown neighborhood Sunday afternoon to help usher in a new Chinese Lunar Year during the 103rd Annual Lunar New Year Parade.
Those in attendance were showered with colorful sequin reflections as a brief reprieve from the cold, and an unexpected appearance from the sun gave way to clear favorable conditions. Spectators cheered on dozens of vibrant dragon arrangements, local high school dance and band ensembles and traditional Chinese lion dances.
Wen He, a 22-year-old student at Northwestern University, said she and fellow student Joe Chou made the trip from Evanston to pay homage to their ethnic roots.
"We're Chinese and it's the new year, so we celebrate," He said. "There are so many people together in one place in Chicago, so I think [the celebration] is Chinese-style, people getting together and celebrating something."
Chou said this is the first time he's attended the parade after failed attempts in the past.
"It's much better than my expectations," Chou laughed. What's more, Chou said his parade highlight was meeting the mayor. "He shook hands with me, it was cool."
Lisa MacKenzie, a Liverpool-to-Brookfield transplant, said growing up celebrating the Lunar New Year in England with her family made her want to keep the tradition alive with her own daughter, now living near Chicago.
"We come down and get dim sum and let the girls pick out something for themselves," she said. "We read some books before we come down. We try to engage in all sorts of cultural activities."
The hour-long parade ran North along Wentworth Avenue to Cermak Road. Among those in attendance celebrating the Year of the Ram were Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner. Mayoral hopeful Commission Chuy Garcia also attended.
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