SUNSET PARK  — There were faces as far back as the eye could see, and a cornucopia of vibrant colors punctuating the afternoon sky. The day was brisk, with the sun peeking through, and the setting ideal for what several hundreds were about to behold: the first annual Brooklyn Lantern Festival Parade — celebrating the final day of the traditional Chinese/Lunar New Year.

Taking place on Saturday, in Sunset Park’s Chinatown, on Seventh Avenue, the event was one of the many Lunar New Year celebrations in New York and around the world. It, of course, featured traditional dragon/lion dances and cultural and artistic performances, as well as a who’s who of elected officials in attendance that addressed the crowd before the parade began.

They included Mayor Eric Adams; Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso; Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay; Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez; Assemblyman Lester Chang, 49th District (representing Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Dyker Heights); State Sen. Iwen Chu; Assemblyman William Colton, 47th District (representing Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Midwood); Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, 38th District (representing Woodhaven, Forrest Park, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, and Glendale); among others. 

Organized by Asian American advocacy group the Asian American Community Empowerment, and hosted by Brooklyn Councilmember Susan Zhuang, the inaugural parade was designed to celebrate both the Lantern Festival and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

Mayor Adams, much like all the elected officials present, kept his remarks relatively brief.

“I’m so happy to be here to show support this year, for the year of the dragon — symbolizing innovation and prosperity,” he said. “Good luck to this great community.” 

Borough president Reynoso pointed out that he is “grateful for the contributions, and all of the work that the Chinese community has done here in Brooklyn,” adding that “a lot of people think that the largest population of Chinese are in Manhattan; but they are here in this great borough of Brooklyn. And I’m deeply proud of that.” 

Assembly Minority Leader Barclay explained that “while there’s a lot of politics that often goes on in Albany and in Washington — Republicans fighting with Democrats, and Democrats fighting with Republicans — it’s nice that we can come here in a bipartisan manner to celebrate the great Asian culture that you have here.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Gonzalez noted that “the dragon is courageous, fortunate, and brings prosperity. And that’s what’s going to happen for the Chinese-American community of Brooklyn — and all of Brooklyn — a safe year, and a year with a lot of progress.” 

Assemblyman Chang wished a happy new year to “everyone in my home, and in our community.”  

Senator Chu said it is “great to be here in Sunset Park to celebrate with families and friends — “with Brooklyn getting the well-deserved spotlight.”

Assemblyman Colton was a bit more animated in his approach.

“This is beautiful!” he bellowed.  “Such a wonderful sea of faces here as I look out! I want everyone to have a very happy new year with much health and good luck!”

A brief history

Also known as the Shang Yuan Festival or the Yuan Xiao Jie Festival, the Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls during the first month of the lunar calendar, on the fifteenth day. The origins of the Lantern Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) in ancient China. Over time, the festival evolved to become a celebration of the New Year and the end of the winter season.

In the modern era, the Lantern Festival is still an important cultural event in China, and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and coming together with loved ones, and is an integral part of Chinese culture and tradition.