Annual Lunar New Year Festival – Chinese New Year

2016 — Year of the Monkey
[ TIPS ]
1. Parking was packed, we ended up circling the neighborhood around it to park. Not sure if the residents there like it though.
2. Bring water if weather is warm.
3. Bring cash.
[ EVENT ]
I liked how organized everything was and there were the appropriate authorities working the event so that traffic was flowing really smoothly on the main streets. That being said I was a little bummed at how little food stalls there were at this festival. There were only about maybe a dozen or so booths and half those booths sold dried Chinese goods so that left about 6 booths that were selling cooked food. I can confidently say that 70% of the festival were business stalls then 20% was dedicated to games and stuff, and the last 10% was food.
Perhaps I got the wrong memo, I didn’t realize it was going to be an event to promote businesses… I had this thought it was more like a day time night market full of food. Lol. It’s not. Fuuuh, really had hoped for more food booths since I went super hungry.
We only managed to get 6 lamb skewers and they were great as always (same company at every CNY festival we go to). Tender meat cooked to perfection with very scrumptious sprinkle of spices.

One of my favorite things about living in the 626 is the Chinese New Year Festival on Valley. It’s once a year and a one day event. I try my hardest every year to make sure I don’t have anything planned for that day. I’ve been going since I was a little kid. I remember the parades and begging my mom to buy me those glitter tiaras. Though the parade is no longer still going on as part of the festival, I’m glad they have not completed scrapped out this once a year event.
The festival is about 2 – 3 blocks long and includes carnival games and ride, foods, and lots of free stuff. Just follow the long lines. Seriously. But I mainly come here for the food. I love street food and I love eating lamb skewers, Taiwanese sausage, getting some lemonade or boba to quench that thirst. There’s Takoyaki and Mister Potato. And who can forget the roasted corn to end my tour.
Like most street festival, bring your cash. Hardly anyone accepts credit cards here! Come early if you are driving because parking is going to be a nightmare and is all street. In addition, many places nearby will NOT let you park in their lot for the festival so beware!

How am I 2_​years old and just discovered this festival 3 years ago?! Sure, there was a parade that I have seen before (which is unfortunately discontinued), but a festival with food and entertainment?! Where was my childhood?
I love this event just for the sheer fact that this is one of the rare events in which a community can gather together in one spot for one purpose: a family/​friend gathering of fun and food. I love that there is Chinese food galore to celebrate a lovely holiday. I love that it is a busy festival on the busy street of Valley. I love that odds are, you will run into someone you know because this place is small for what it is. I love that this is the culture of the city/​community at its best.

the downtown Chinatown parade on the 20^th at 1PM (I think)

The Year of the Tiger is here, February 13, 2010 and the celebration for the Chinese New Year.
Originally scheduled for February 6^th, it is occured on February 13^th from 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
Parade
Food Booths
Entertainment
We missed the parade, but ended coming to have lunch from one of the booths. We ate in front of the entertainment, chinese songs, and watched more than 1,000 folks walk by.
Lot’s of booths for business, eg banks, dept stores, etc. Where ever there was a wheel to spin for a gift, the were a line at least 25 (yes, chinese in a line), people waiting their turn to spin the wheel, to take a chance on a gift.
As for lining up, I wan’t going to do that today, and lining up to have my lunch there was just fine.