The particular Chinese language 12 months of the wooden snake is about transformation and alter — and people celebrating it in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Sunday stated even the downpour couldn’t dampen their hopes for it.
“It’s a new year. A new starting point. New energy. A new beginning. Every year you get a chance for a new beginning,” stated Lena Tan, 60, who danced within the parade with East Tradition Artwork Inc. to usher at first of the lunar new 12 months.
Paul Gordon, 48, who turned out for the parade together with his Filipino-Chinese language spouse and household as they they do yearly, added, “The primary 12 months ever in 15 years that I’ve seen a lot rain.
“I look forward to this parade,” he stated. “I look forward to the good food, to seeing the community coming together, everybody bonding over the same thing. It’s nice to see everyone coming together.”
“Last year we had the biggest crowd. This year we still got a good crowd with the rain,” Gordon stated.
Even because the rain fell, the parade’s marchers carried on beneath ponchos and umbrellas, whereas viewers lining the slim sidewalks crowded below awnings to attempt to maintain dry.
The rain lastly cleared by mid-afternoon, and the remainder of the parade went off with no hitch.
“I am excited to be here, rain or shine,” stated metropolis Councilman Christopher Marte, whose district consists of Chinatown.
“It’s a historic event that happens every year here in Chinatown, and it’s great to see so many people out here in the rain,” he stated.
Sunday’s celebration kicked off the 12 months of the snake — though extra particularly, the wooden snake, which hasn’t come round since 1965. The common 12 months of the snake happens each 12 years.
The 12 months of the wooden snake is meant to be a 12 months of change and upheaval — however one that may be constructive and produce about transformation.
