Asian Pacific Lunar New Year Festival 2018: Jan. 27 In Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CA – Decorations for the upcoming "Asian Pacific Lunar New Year's Festival" in downtown Riverside were on display Monday, with orange- colored paper lanterns strung over several blocks along Mission Inn Avenue.

The eighth annual festival is slated for Jan. 27 and will feature a range of activities, saturating the downtown area with the sights, sounds and flavors of the Far East.

"There will be traditional Asian music, Taiko drums, dance performances, art displays, demonstrations of martial arts, Anime cosplayers and Asian cultural displays of various kinds conducted by community and professional groups alike, throughout the day on four separate stages," festival founder May Lynn Davis said.

The paper lanterns strung above Mission Inn Avenue, between Lime and Orange streets, symbolize joy and good fortune in the new year, according to Far East custom. Observances of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, last about a month.

The downtown fest will begin with a "Parade of Nations" along the Main Street pedestrian mall at Ninth Street, proceeding down Market Street to Mission Inn Avenue, and ending at Lime Street.

Afterward, several tea pavilions will open outside the downtown library at Lemon Street and Mission Inn Avenue -- the hub of the day's activities, according to organizers. Teas from China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand will be served.

An international food court will be available on Lemon Street, between Mission Inn and Sixth Street, where festival-goers may sample overseas cuisine.

Kung-Fu, karate and other martial arts demonstrations are planned. There will also be an Orient-themed pop/rock concert and traditional lion and dragon dancing.

Vendors forming a makeshift marketplace outside the library will be selling a variety of trinkets, artwork and other goods. Lemon Street, Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue will be shut down in the area immediately surrounding the staging grounds.

Mayor Rusty Bailey and other city officials are expected to make appearances before the festivities conclude with an evening fireworks extravaganza.

The Asian Pacific Cultural Association, which promotes Far East and Pacific Rim cultures and their contributions to the region, is the festival's main sponsor.

More information is available here: http://lunarfestriverside.com/ .

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival: Palm Desert
• Star Party at the Monument
• Poker Night - Temecula

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--City News Service/Pixabay image via lme007