New York Flushing Grand Parade Celebrates Lunar New Year with Governor and Dignitaries Paying New Year Visits.

New York City celebrated the biggest event of the lunar new year, the Flushing Lunar New Year Parade, which took place on the fourth day of the lunar new year (February 1st). The parade was filled with vibrant and festive performances, featuring dragon dances, lion dances, drumming, and cheers. Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other elected officials made an appearance in Flushing to extend their New Year greetings to the Asian community. The streets were packed with spectators, showcasing the lively and thriving atmosphere of Flushing as the largest Chinese community in America.

The parade kicked off at 11:00 am from the 109th Precinct of the NYPD, with over 60 organizations, 30 floats, and a variety of vehicles participating in the procession. More than ten thousand people marched through the streets, spreading blessings and well wishes of “Happy New Year” and “Prosperity” to the spectators. Families and individuals of all ages gathered in the heart of Flushing, overflowing Main Street with joyous and harmonious vibes. Particularly noteworthy was the participation of many second and third-generation Chinese children, either marching in the parade or watching, displaying pride in their heritage and culture.

Governor Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, along with numerous elected officials and community representatives, led the parade, continuously offering New Year blessings to the crowd along the way. Flushing, known as the largest overseas Chinese community and often called the “capital of overseas Chinese,” has been hosting the Lunar New Year Parade since 1996. The grand procession exemplifies the vitality and inclusivity of New York City’s multiculturalism, showcasing the integration of diverse ethnicities, the flourishing development of Flushing, and the recognition and support of the immigrant community by the state and city officials.

Despite the cold weather, the enthusiasm of the people to participate in and watch the parade was unwavering. The sky, initially overcast, cleared up as the parade began, with the sun shining bright throughout the event. Several elected officials remarked that the festive atmosphere of the parade brought out the sunshine.

Governor Hochul presented a certificate of commendation to the organizers of the parade, stating that the Lunar New Year celebration was a significant event. She highlighted the resilience and wisdom symbolized by the Year of the Snake, especially in light of the challenges faced by the Asian Pacific community, particularly after the pandemic. She expressed pride in the community’s success and growth, emphasizing the importance of family reunions and collective celebration during the holiday.

Leading up to the start of the parade, Senator Schumer greeted the crowd with a megaphone, showcasing his attire dedicated to the celebration. He emphasized the beauty of unity within the community, vowing to continue fostering bipartisan cooperation to address significant issues and benefit all individuals.

Schumer expressed his support for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), citing its importance as a ladder of opportunity for many underserved Chinese and Asian students. He advocated for the preservation of SHSAT, stating that it has been instrumental in facilitating genuine achievements for many in the community.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James noted that the Lunar New Year celebration allowed Asian communities to honor their traditions while introducing other ethnic groups to Asian history and heritage. Congresswoman Grace Meng thanked the community and government for their support of Asian culture. She highlighted the significance of the statewide public school holiday during the Lunar New Year, providing an opportunity for everyone to appreciate the beauty of Asian culture.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards emphasized the importance of diversity in celebrating the community, highlighting Queens’ strength in its diverse population representing 190 countries and speaking 360 different languages and dialects. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stressed the significance of celebrating the contributions of past generations in shaping the present and maintaining cultural heritage.

Councilwoman Sandra Ung, a native of Flushing, reflected on the parade’s growth over the years, attributing the increasing participation to the event’s significance not only for the Asian community but also for the entire United States. Numerous state and city officials and community representatives joined the parade, extending traditional holiday greetings in Chinese to the spectators.

The parade was led by the NYPD, featuring the police band, the Asian-American Law Enforcement Association, and the Asian-American Police Officer Association at the forefront. Subsequent participating organizations included numerous community groups, businesses, and institutions, with colorful floats, dragon and lion dances, lively drumming, and festive music, creating a magnificent and vibrant parade.

The grand finale was marked by the appearance of Falun Gong, the Global Quit CCP Center, and representatives from the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Media Group, reflecting the largest and most impressive section of the procession. Their songs and banners conveyed blessings of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance” to the spectators.

Over a hundred members of the Tian Guo Marching Band performed energetically, playing musical pieces such as “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Sacred Song,” “Falun Dafa’s Victorious Vow Resonates Throughout the Ten Directions,” and “Falun Dafa Holy King.” Banner messages included:

– “Revealing the truth brings blessings to thousands of families, spreading the truth and goodness across the globe.”
– “Bid farewell to the old year’s haze, lead the heart towards goodness, welcome the new year, receive blessings from truthfulness, compassion, tolerance.”
– “Plum blossoms blossom to welcome the new year, all living beings embrace truthfulness, compassion, tolerance.”
– “Returning to the origin, celebrating the new year, the world is filled with new beginnings.”

Well-known hosts from New Tang Dynasty TV, in both English and Chinese, extended New Year greetings to diverse ethnic groups, demonstrating the media group’s multilingual and international reach.

Onlookers lining the streets enthusiastically captured the parade on their phones, waving and expressing admiration for the spectacle. They commented on the grandeur of the event, the lively atmosphere, and the unique opportunity for children to learn about Chinese culture and traditions.