Chinese New Year @ Wai Yee Hong 2008

Thank-you to everyone who joined us on 10th February 2008 for our Chinese New Year celebrations! The day started with the traditional firecracker, after which the dragon had its eyes painted and the dragon dance was performed. The South Gloucestershire Chinese Association Hero Lion Dance Troupe gave crowd-pleasing displays of the dragon dance in front of the Eastgate Oriental City complex before entering the building to bring good fortune and prosperity to the businesses inside.

The Chinese unicorn dance was performed by the local pak mei kung fu group who demonstrated their great skill in martial arts. Their dedication to training paid off, as their displays of traditional Chinese kung fu impressed all who saw them. Despite frightening a few of our younger visitors, the benevolent unicorn was enjoyed by the majority of the crowd and was also invited into the Eastgate Oriental City complex to bring good fortune and luck to all.

Throughout the morning, the Choi Sun (God of Prosperity), dressed in golden robes, greeted the crowds and handed out sweets to the little ones and those young at heart! Everywhere he went, people gathered around so that they might touch him and rub some of his good fortune onto themselves!

To finish off the celebrations, the Hero Lion Dance troupe delighted visitors with a Chinese percussion performance.

Thank-you to all the groups who participated and made this an event and enjoyable day out for everyone!

Gong Hei Fat Choi! We wish everyone happiness and prosperity in the year of the rat!