Giant flags in neon green, red, black and yellow whipped in the chilly wind as groups marched down the street to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown on Sunday.
Hundreds of Bostonians and students alike gathered around a stage in Phillips Square in to listen to the opening speech of Mayor Thomas Menino, as well as other speeches and performances.
When the first performance group took the stage, children settled on their parents’ shoulders and rushed through the crowd to get a front row seat to watch performances featuring mock dragons.
Among the attendees were families hosting Chinese exchange students.
“The students are homesick and their English is poor, but you don’t need language for this,” said Jennifer Ramras, a teacher at Needham Public Schools.
The Chinese New Year celebration was the perfect way for exchange students to be back in the Chinese cultural atmosphere, Ramras said, and for her children to learn something about Chinese culture.
A skit containing a rabbit was also performed, which depicted the coming of the Year of the Rabbit through miming and dancing.
The performances featured martial arts and athletic groups, who all danced with giant dragon heads attached to their bodies. They jumped, snaked around the stage and stacked performers on shoulders, which received applause and astonishment from observers.
One of the groups of dancers that performed was the only all-female Lion Dance group in the world.
The all-women group showed the power of women and the role they play in the Chinese culture, said Lynne Prescott, a resident of a suburb outside of Boston. Prescott also appreciates the cultural experience of the Chinese New Year.
“I go with some friends that are Chinese so they help me understand the culture, and it just widens my horizons,” she said.
After the celebration, Prescott said that she and her friends were going to lunch at a dim sum restaurant, which was a popular choice among people in Chinatown on the New Year.
Many Boston area students also travelled to Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
“It’s really great, I’ve never seen anything like this, so I’m really excited to be here and see it,” said Kristina Bracero, a Wellesley College freshman.
After the parade Bracero planned on trying one of the dim sum restaurants with her friends and wandering around and exploring the shops in Chinatown.
When the performing groups finished their dances or skits, they proceeded to march down the streets of Chinatown, stopping in front of the doorways of different restaurants.
According to Chinese tradition, it is good luck for the dragon to present itself in front of an establishment. Oranges and lettuce was also thrown in the air and crowd, another symbol of good luck.
As the crowd began to disperse, some people took refuge from the cold in nearby stores and restaurants.
“Last year was a little bit sunnier and warmer, so that was a little bit better,” said Corrie Popp, a Newton resident. Popp said she tries to come with her son every year because it is such a fun event.
“We like to see all the people in costumes, the dancers and the drums,” she said.
Setting off fireworks is another Chinese New Year tradition. Throughout the morning, bursts of noise and smoke could be seen and heard coming from many directions in celebration.
“Last year we were in a restaurant, and they let off a lot of fireworks in the door way, and it got really loud and smokey,” Popp said.
Whether spectators came to respect the Chinese culture or for the delicious dim sum restaurants and dragon dances, the parade was full of energy and excitement for the Chinese culture and New Year.
“It’s just a cool, different day, and for anyone who has ever been to China it’s kind of fun to think about it and look back,” Popp said.
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