CHINATOWN : Celebrations Begin for Year of the Dog

It’s 4692, the Year of the Dog, by the Chinese calendar. And Chinatown is celebrating the new year with a series of events through February.

A free weekend street fair on North Broadway continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. The public is invited to savor traditional foods, live music and cultural performances that include dance and martial arts demonstrations.

The official Chinese New Year’s Day is Thursday.

Families celebrate with a reunion dinner the night before and firecrackers on New Year’s Day to scare away evil spirits. The day is also a time to pay respect to elders and do good deeds, according to information from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Youngsters will compete Saturday in the Little King and Queen Contest at Castelar Elementary School, 840 Yale St. Admission to the pageant is free.

Castelar will host its own community carnival Feb. 18-20, while the colorful Golden Dragon Parade will wind its way down North Broadway on Feb. 19, beginning at 2 p.m. Admission to the carnival and parade is free.

Gastronomes can enjoy a feast at the New Year Banquet on Feb. 25. Ocean Seafood restaurant, 747 N. Broadway, will hold the banquet, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.

Finally, the athletically inclined can participate in the 16th annual Firecracker Run, a 1K, 5K and 10K event, on Feb. 27. The run begins at 8:30 a.m. at North Broadway and College Street.

Entry fees are $10 and up, depending on which souvenirs are desired.

A March 7 golf tournament and the fifth annual Moon Festival in September round out the year of festivities.

Information: (213) 617-0396.