The lunar new year is a time where family and friend come together and spread joy and cheers. This Chinese tradition is not lost in the United States, and was in fact strengthened by the multi-cultural appreciation.
This year, the Nassau County decided to host its first-ever Lunar New Year celebration, comprising of two parts: booths to explore the Chinese culture and a performance showcasing various traditional Chinese arts and music.
In the first part, the people milled around in the booths (such as the candy booth). Once they collected enough stamps from the booths, they went to the long table to receive a lantern. While they mingled and visited the various booths, volunteers worked their nimble fingers to create the paper lanterns, popping out hollow parts, tying dangling strings, and attaching the light and the handle. Our members learned quickly despite the complicated instructions and were able to work efficiently despite the messy table overcrowded conditions. Some of the members even helped teach younger kids who wanted to learn how to make lanterns. When supplies started to run out, volunteers went out and brought back boxes more.
While most of our members churned out lantern after lantern, some of us took photos with children and guests at the entrance. In sweltering hot and heavy costumes of dragons (it is the dragon year after all) and the god of wealth, we waved at children and stood while they posed for pictures after pictures. Despite cramped legs and tired necks straining under the weight of the head of the costume, our volunteers did not complain and put on a smiling face under the costume.
When it was about time for the performance, volunteers herded the crowd towards the auditorium. Some of us helped direct people to their seats in the auditorium, some scanned tickets, and others handed out programs to the guests.
But the jobs of the volunteers didn’t end there. While the guests were enjoying the performance, the members helped organize the lottery. We ripped out strips of ‘tickets’ that were used for the lottery and separated the ones that was handed to the guests and the ones that entered the lottery machine. Afterwards, we crept through the cramped rows in the dark auditorium and handed each individual guests their lottery tickets.
Overall, it was an eventful, educational, and festive day for the volunteers. Despite unsightly conditions, we perservered.
Members who participated includes:
3.5 hours: Anita Chen, Katrina Chen, Letao Tao
5.5 hours: Yang Amy Wu, Brooke Zheng, Leo Zheng, Brian Xiong, Wilbur Wei, Emma Wei, Hunter Chen, Kacie Li, Kayden Li
Reporter: Yang Amy Wu
