Year of the Monkey
The 1992 Chinese New Year is the “Year of the Monkey,” which begins Feb . 4. The following events are sponsored by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce:
Saturday
Little King and Queen Contest--Children ages 5 and 6 will be interviewed and judged to select the Little King and Queen of Los Angeles Chinatown at 2 p.m., Castelar Elementary School, 840 Yale St.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Chinese New Year’s Day--The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new cycle and the arrival of spring. Celebrations include paying respect to older family members, doing good deeds and feasting. Festivities begin with a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, which symbolizes togetherness, unity and harmony. Fruits and food consumed during the reunion dinner are also of special significance.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Beauty Pageant--A queen and court of four will be selected to represent the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75. For reservations, call (213) 617-0396.
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 14-16
Community Carnival--Helps bring young and old together with festivities that are held from 6 to 11 p.m., at Castelar Elementary School, 840 Yale St.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Golden Dragon Parade--The dragon, a symbol of power, authority and royalty, comes out once a year to wish everyone good fortune for the coming year. Legend has it that those who take part in or observe the Dragon Dance will enjoy good fortune and a bountiful harvest. The parade begins at 2 p.m. at North Spring and College streets to Broadway and Bernard Street.
Sunday, Feb. 23
14th Annual Firecracker 5K/10K Run--Pre-run activities will feature firecrackers and lion dancing, a symbol of repelling evil. The run begins at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of North Broadway and College Street in Chinatown. For more information, call (213) 617-0396.
Saturday, Feb. 29
Banquet--The annual New Year’s banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Seafood restaurant, 747 N. Broadway. Tickets are $25. For reservations, call (213) 617-0396.
Wednesday, March 4
Golf Tournament--The Chinatown open golf tournament begins at 10 a.m. at Brookside Park, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena. Tickets are $100, which includes greens fee, cart, refreshments, dinner and prizes. For reservations, call (213) 617-0396.
Saturday-Sunday, July 11-12
Dragon Boat Races--The festival commemorates the death of a patriotic poet who drowned himself on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month because his dream of improving the political strength of his country could not be achieved. Ever since, dragon boat races have been staged on that day to symbolize the desire to race across the water to the poet. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, it is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. at Echo Park, 1632 Bellevue Ave. For information, call (213) 485-5555.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Moon Festival--The 15th day of the eighth lunar month marks a special full moon day. Originally, the festival was held to celebrate the success of the harvest with gifts of mirrors being exchanged to symbolize brightness and intelligence. Families gather to enjoy the moon at its fullest and brightest. Moon cakes were once used to pass secret messages hidden inside. Today, moon cakes are part of the festival and are filled with various fillings and eaten as a delicacy. The event runs from noon to 10 p.m. at the two Chinatown plazas and Castelar Elementary School, 840 Yale St.