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Arts & Entertainment

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Dunedin celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year with festive and colorful performances in Pioneer Park.

Melissa Lattman, Neighbor
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Dunedin rang in the Chinese New Year on Friday (Jan. 20). People packed to see the lion roar open the new year with its power, fortune and luck.

Decorative umbrellas and flowing fans filled the stage as dancers from the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans (SACA) performed traditional dances from different regions and groups of people in China. The night ended as the powerful dragon known for its long life took the stage, explained Chengshih Hu of SACA.

Wei Xue of SACA choreographed and directed Friday's performance, which was part of Dunedin's Diversity Week including the Martin Luther King Breakfast Jr. on Jan. 14.

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Friday's celebration was just ahead of today's (Jan. 23) official start of the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese New Year begins with the new moon each year.

  • Mardi Gras (Feb 21) Main Street
  • St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
  • Highland Games (April 21)
  • Cinco De Mayo (May 5)
  • OctoBEERFest (October)
  • Fall Festival (October)
  • Celtic Festival (Nov. 19)

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