WATCH: Hundreds braved powerful winds and cold temperatures to watch Victoria’s Chinese New Year parade on Sunday. Ceilidh Millar reports.
Hundreds packed Victoria’s Chinatown Sunday to watch the Lunar New Year come to life.
“We’re ushering in the New Year with loud noise, lions and firecrackers,” explained Daniel Low of the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club.
The city’s annual parade has captured the hearts of people from every culture.
Many return to Canada’s oldest Chinatown to celebrate the holiday every year.
“We’ve been coming out to the Chinese New Year parade since our daughter was born,” said one woman watching the show.
“My favourite part is the lions when they’re dancing,” said a young boy.
Sunday’s event to ring in the Year of the Dog featured dances, music and martial arts performances.
A ceremonial lion dance was held during the parade using ornate and colourful costumes.
The dance is a rich part of Chinese culture dating back thousands of years ? performed to bring good luck and fortune.
“You can think of it as you’re scaring the monster of last year away,” Low explained. “It makes sure no bad mojo comes to the year to come!”
This year, the Lunar New Year fell on Feb. 16, with celebrations taking place around the world for up to 15 days.
Ceilidh Millar
