Lunar-New-Year-4More than 2,000 people came from across the city to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake in Amity Park on Saturday, Feb. 16.

The festivities opened with remarks from Wea Lee, chairman of the Texas Lunar Festival, who also serves as chairman of the International Management District’s board of directors. Other dignitaries who spoke were Representative Al Green (Texas 9th Congressional District) and Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

“Our dream and passion to bring the people of the world together who live right here in our Houston community has never changed,” said Lee’s message in the festival program. “This is why this year’s Texas Lunar New Year Festival includes recognition and participation of all ethnic groups from all segments of our city who come together with their special gifts and talents to share with the whole community.”

The inclusive festival not only highlighted traditional folk dances, songs and martial arts demonstrations from China, Viet Nam, Korea, India, and the Philippines, but also presented dancers representing the cultures of Brazil, Jamaica, Mexico. Africa, Greece and the state of Hawaii. Dance teams from Elsik High School also did some high stepping routines.

No Lunar New Year Festival is complete without the appearance of both the lion and dragon dancing onstage, and both were presented by Lee’s Golden Dragon dance troupe.

The festival was presented with the support of the Southern News Group, Chinese New Year Festival Inc., International Trade Center, USA Printing, ITV International Television, International Press Club, Southwestern National Bank, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Texas, the Urban Television Network and the International Management District.

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