What is Chinese New Year all about?
Chinese New Year is the most celebrated holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. It is similar to a combination of Thanksgiving (family reunion and feasts) and Christmas (gifting). The date is based on lunar calendar, so it is different each year, falling anywhere between January 21st to February 20th.
The Chinese New Year Parade in Bangor, Maine
The Chinese New Year Parade in Bangor was a dream of Gerry P., one of our founding members and a former mayor of Bangor. It came to fruition shortly after Maine China Network was formed.
The first Chinese New Year Parade in Bangor (February 10, 2013) was an outdoors event, starting at the Bangor Chinese School on Cumberland Street, continuing around Broadway Park through Center Street, and ending at Chopsticks Restaurant. The weather conditions made us rethink the parade location.
The China Exhibit @Oriental Jade was another important part of 2013 Chinese New Year celebration in Bangor. Governor LePage was at the opening to wake the lion for the new year celebration. Many members of the Maine China Network put in a lot of work to make it happen.
In 2014, the parade moved into the Bangor Mall and has stayed there since.
In the media:
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/02/10/news/bangor/lepage-helps-celebrate-chinese-year-of-the-snake-in-bangor/
http://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/16/news/bangor/dragon-and-lion-dances-will-open-chinese-new-year-in-bangor/