The start of the Chinese Year of the Monkey was February 8. The New Year's Parade, grand finale of the week long New Year's celebration in Vancouver, was on February 14. Vancouver has the second largest Chinese expat community in North America, so, we were expecting the celebrations to be something special and they were. It was a wonderful parade, unfortunately held in pelting rain, but, it didn't seem to dampen spirits much. It was long, almost two hours, and showcased many different Chinese organizations and groups. Of course, being Canada, it also included a lot of other groups as well including school groups, pipe bands, marching bands, military personnel, Highland dancers, martial arts performers and even a Sikh Motorcycle Club!
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| Lovely smiles, even in the rain... |
Costumes and colours were amazing, almost made you forget the dismal weather....
There were many impressive dragons, trailing firecrackers and smoke in their wake...
...and lions that delighted the children...
Here is the Sikh motorcyle club...the only such club in Canada (and maybe the world?)
Stoicism in what must have been miserably wet uniforms....
There were indoor events as well, onstage at the International Village Mall. This mall was packed after the parade and their fast food court had interesting cuisine to choose from, not only Chinese, but, unusually Sri Lankan, Indonesian, Indian and others as well.
Thank you for the pics of Chinese celebration in Vancouver. Lovely pics and the photographer so talented.
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