FCC-SoCal's 2018 New Year Event Committee: Valerie Allen, Kathy Hauck, Karen Drew and Arlene Balkin. Would you like to help with the 2019 banquet? Let us know by using the contact form on this site. We would love to have your help. [email protected].
Since 1998, FCC-SoCal families have been gathering in Los Angeles’ Chinatown to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year. The event started in the Year of the Tiger with 4 tables and 40 moms, dads, waiting parents and children in a small room in the back of the Empress Pavilion. By 2005, FCC-SoCal families filled the entire Empress Pavilion (the largest restaurant in Chinatown) to capacity. In 2018, our banquet is now held at Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown.
At each event, many tables fill the dining room. A family-style multi-course dinner is served to each table. Throughout the evening, music plays, families and kids socialize, and Asian performers entertain the crowd with acrobatics, juggling, lion dancing, martial arts and magic. Miss Chinatown and her court also pay a royal visit.
The festivities conclude with the dragon dance and “bubble wrap” stomp (simulating the sound of firecrackers). It’s always festive and exciting, and also unfailingly touching to see a gigantic room full of happy families and hundreds of joyful children and youth! Being in the room provides a wonderful visual for our kids and parents alike – we are part of an amazing community of adoptive families. There’s nothing else quite like an FCC New Year banquet in Chinatown!
Parade, Firecracker Rune and Other Events
In addition to enjoying the banquet, FCC-SoCal families also march in the Golden Dragon Parade. This year, the parade will be held in Chinatown, Saturday, February 17th. Please visit the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles website: http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com/
Check this site's News & Events blogs and the Calendar for information during the New Year season.
Gung Hay Fat Choy, Xin Nian Kuai Le and Happy New Year
from your Chinese New Year Coordinating Committee!