PORT OF LOS ANGELES CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL ON THE LA WATERFRONT FEB. 21
Free Event to Feature Family-Fun Entertainment,
Activities and Fireworks Show
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — February 10, 2015 — The Port of Los Angeles will host its first-ever Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, Feb. 21, at San Pedro’s Downtown Harbor on the LA Waterfront. The free family event officially kicks off at 3 p.m. and ends with a spectacular firework finale starting at 7 p.m. Against the colorful backdrop of traditional hanging lanterns – and the theater of America’s No. 1 port – visitors will be in store for an afternoon of fun and entertainment, food and crafts, and a host of celebratory activities honoring this annual multicultural Asian tradition.
“This is a wonderful event for us because the Port and greater Los Angeles region have deep and lasting ties to the people and cultures of Asia,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s our privilege to add this cultural celebration to our list of family-friendly community events and attractions on the LA Waterfront.”
The event will feature a number of cultural performances throughout the afternoon, including dancers from the Korean Dance Academy of Los Angeles; folk dancers, calligraphy artists and Chinese brush experts from the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Center; traditional Chinese lion and dragon dancers from Wushu Shaolin Entertainment in Garden Grove, among others. The Dragon Martial Arts School of Torrance will be on hand to conduct martial arts and self-defense demonstrations. The Kokoro Taiko Kai of Long Beach – Taiko drummers will also perform.
With 2015 as the “Year of the Sheep,” what better way to bring the festival to life than with a petting zoo featuring many of the animals represented under the Chinese Zodiac? Kids will enjoy getting up-close and friendly with sheep and goats, pigs and ponies, while also enjoying photos with “Baby Rubber Duck,” a 10-ft.-high replica of its larger namesake that took the LA Waterfront by storm last summer. The popular Ni Hao Kai-Lan will also make a special appearance during the event.
Downtown Harbor is located at 6th Street and Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro, next to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. Free event parking is available at nearby Ports O’ Call, just a short walk from the venue.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.