Chinese New Year Festival & Race

The 12th annual New Orleans Chinese New Years

Race & Festival will be held on Saturday, January 25,

2003 at Lafreniere Park. The festival will feature

Chinese Food & Pastries, folk dancing and music, martial

arts demonstrations, as well as Chinese Arts & Crafts,

Cultural Exhibits and games. The Year of the Ram

celebrates Chinese Lunar Year 4701.

 

 
5K RACE & 1 MILE WALK
The Race and Walk will begin at 9:30 am and loops through scenic Lafreniere Park. There will be awards for each age groups as well as for top masters male and female finishers. All runners will receive free food and drinks. To join the pack of roughly 500 runners, register on-line with the New Orleans Track Club
Trophy winners for the 2002 Run


YEAR OF THE RAM
February 1, 2003 will mark the beginning of the new lunar year. Those born in the Year Of The Ram ( 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991) are said to be charming, elegant, and artistic. Some famous people born in the Year of the Ram include Gene Hackman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonard Nimoy, John Major, and George Harrison. May the Year of the Ram bring us health, joy and prosperity.


FUTURE CHINESE NEW YEAR DATES

Chinese Year
Zodiac Animal
Gregorian Calendar
4701
Ram
February 1, 2003
4702
Monkey
January 22, 2004
4703
Rooster
February 9, 2005
4704
Dog
January 29, 2006
4705
Pig
February 18, 2007
4706
Rat
February 7, 2008
4707
Ox
January 26, 2009
4708
Tiger
February 14, 2010
4709
Rabbit
February 3, 2011
4710
Dragon
February 5, 2012
4711
Snake
January 24, 2013
4711
Horse
February 12, 2014

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
The ceremonial Lion Dance and Fireworks are synonymous with any Chinese New Year Celebration. Fireworks were used at one time to chase away evil spirits and to ensure a prosperous new year. Nowadays, their loud noise creates a festive and joyful atmosphere. Additionally, Tai Chi demonstrations and Chinese Folk singing are always part of the New Year Festival
Another tradition that everyone looks forward to at the beginning of the New Year is the Hongbao. The Hongbao is a little red envelope which contains cash gifts. Traditionally, all children are to receive a Hongbao as a sign of luck and happiness.


Additional Information


For more information regarding the Festival & Race, including the sale of Festival T-shirts and posters, please contact Chuck Mengel

Happy New Year To Our Sponsors