L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Reinvests in the Community

The 46th annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker, one of the Largest and Oldest Lunar New Year 5K/10K/Kiddie/PAW’er Dog Run/Walk & 20/50-Mile Bike Ride Events in the United States, took place over the weekend of February 24-25, at the Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza in Downtown LA, with completely sold out events.

Produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC), a group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to organize and stage events and programs promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness, cultural awareness to the greater Los Angeles community, commit to donating the proceeds from the annual event in order to reinvest in the community and surrounding areas supporting elementary schools and other non-profit organizations which provide exceptional services and programs, raising awareness of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles for seniors and youth within Los Angeles’ diverse communities.

This year’s recipient organizations included:

Chinatown

- Ann Street Elementary School

- Castelar Street Elementary School

- Alpine Recreation Center

- Chinatown Service Center – Provides outstanding services and advocacy that promote better quality of life and equal opportunity for immigrants and other communities.

- Chinese Historical Society of SoCal

- Friends of Chinatown Library

Echo Park

- Logan Academy of Global Ecology

- Central City Action Committee – Provides youth services for low-income families

Elysian Park

- Solano Avenue Elementary School

- Friends of Elysian Park

Los Angeles

- Chinese Family History Group of Southern CA

- Ascot Hills Park

- Chinese American Museum

- API Forward Movement – Cultivating healthy, long-lasting, and vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander communities through community-centered engagement, education, and advocacy.

- Lincoln Heights Tutorial Program – Helping urban children & youth prepare for college

- Lincoln Heights Education Project – Supports students and mentees with resources

Little Tokyo

- Visual Communication Media - to develop and support the voices of Asian American & Pacific Islander filmmakers and media artists who empower communities and challenge perspectives.

Glendale

- better TOGETHER forever Rescue – dedicated to helping low-income pet parents in LA communities access valuable services to stay together with the pets they love and out of animal shelters.

El Monte

- ActiveSGV – Supports a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley

Pasadena

- Pasadena Pacers

San Gabriel

- Chinese Cultural Herald Crusades (CCHC) Community Center

El Sereno

- El Sereno Middle School Students Run LA Runners

A fan favorite event, the annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker allows participants a choice to participate in-person or virtually, now attracting over 35,000 spectators and 10,000 participants over a two-day period in celebration of the Chinese Lunar holiday.

Each registered participant receives a commemorative Firecracker race bib, exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, limited edition t-shirt (Paw’er Dogs receive their own commemorative Firecracker t-shirt), goody bag, and much more. In addition, participants and their guests enjoy the Lunar New Year Celebration in the heart of historic Chinatown with an opening ceremony filled with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers. The Firecracker festival includes activities for children, activations, vendors, and community booths.

• Firecracker L.A. Website: https://firecracker10k.org/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefirecracker10k

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firecracker10k/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/firecracker10k

• 2024 L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p7CmmAxeXKJUbZQSv6ye6AEbOvj2DlZQ/view