Lunar New Year Festival Coming Up Next Saturday February 2!

The Summit Area YMCA (SAY), in collaboration with the Berkeley Heights Diversity Council, is thrilled to be hosting the second Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF) at its Berkeley Heights YMCA branch on February 2, 2019 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. The event is free, open to the public and includes performances and activities that focus on various aspects of Asian culture and how the Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world. Online registration for the event begins January 9 and ends January 29. Walk-ins are welcome, although online registrants will enjoy expedited entry.

Register online at www.thesay.org/lnyf/registration for expedited entry.

The Summit Area YMCA continues to be committed to creating a culture in which diversity and inclusion are integral in our community with events and programs such as the Lunar New Year Festival.

The Lunar New Year is a holiday based on the lunar-solar calendar, and while many Asian and South East Asian countries share influences from Chinese culture, they also have many traditions and customs unique to each country, along with different names for the holiday such as Seollal in Korea or Songkran in Thailand.

At the festival, enjoy the richness of Asian customs and culture through a selection of exciting performances and activities. Join us for an exciting Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinese Wushu martial arts performance, a Children’s ribbon dance by Spring Academy Montessori, a Jiu Jitsu Demonstration by Premier Fitness, Korean Kimbap Food Demonstration*, KPOP Dance Party and more.

Visit our Night Market themed food room, take part in a special beginner Tai Chi class to get an introduction to Yang style Tai Chi, or get your face painted and transform into your Zodiac animal! Children can express their creativity by making their Korean New Year masks, lanterns, and more. Enjoy an evening of excitement, cultural sharing, and fun!

See below for a list of the participating organizations and activities:

SNEAK PEEK AT OUR PERFORMANCES & ACTIVITIES**:
LION DANCE - Wushu Kungfu Fitness Center of East Hanover
WUSHU MARTIAL ARTS - Wushu Kungfu Fitness Center of East Hanover
MUSIC & DANCE - Spring Academy Montessori
KIMBAP FOOD DEMONSTRATION – Learn how to make Korean Kimbap!
CHILDREN'S ARTS & CRAFTS
TAI CHI CLASS – 5:00PM in MindBody Room
JIU JITSU DEMONSTRATION - Premier Fitness of Berkeley Heights
KOREAN KIMBAP FOOD DEMONSTRATION*
KPOP DANCE PARTY - Dance to your favorite KPOP and Asian Pop Hits!
LUNAR NEW YEAR STORYTIME
FOOD – Enjoy delicious Thai cuisine from Proud Thai Cookery in the Night Market themed food room
FUN GAMES - Play some games and enjoy yummy Asian snack prizes!
CHINESE ZODIAC FACE PAINTING - provided by Spring Academy Montessori
LUNAR NEW YEAR PHOTO BOOTH
and more!

For more information about the Lunar New Year Festival, visit: www.thesay.org/lnyf

Register online for free expedited entry into the festival!

Don’t miss out on your favorite performances or fun activities by getting stuck in line trying to get into the festival!

Online registration begins January 9 and ends January 29.

All online registrants must complete a guest waiver which will be emailed upon registration confirmation.

In addition to celebrating annual festivals like the Holi Color Festival, Diwali Festival and Lunar New Year Festival, the Summit Area YMCA strives to provide welcoming and inclusive programming and services to the community through a number of existing and developing programs. Some include bilingual group exercise class offerings, special needs enrichment and swim programs, engaging in international YMCA partnerships, providing multilingual, multicultural staff to serve our diverse community, celebrating Welcoming Week Across America and much more.

The Summit Area YMCA is proud to be the first Diversity Inclusion and Global Network or DIG Innovation Network committed to creating a culture in which diversity and inclusion are integral to everyday operations. Through welcoming, inclusive practices and environments, our Y and its three branches will welcome and engage all people from all diverse groups of the community to help and impact lasting, meaningful change. To learn more about our focus on diversity and inclusion visit: https://www.thesay.org/About-Us/Diversity-Inclusion-and-Global-Innovation

The Lunar New Year Festival is brought to the community by the Summit Area YMCA and Berkeley Heights Diversity Council.

*Food demonstration only. No food will be served from the demonstration.
**All performances and activities subject to change without notice.

Questions? Contact:
Jenny Hui
(P) 908-738-2168
(E) jenny.hui@thesay.org
or
Tiffany Escott
(P) 908-738-2141

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About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve more than 10,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Millburn, Springfield, Short Hills, Summit, Gillette, and Stirling. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need.