Wing Chin sat with his wife and daughter in camp chairs to watch the parade of Asian organizations in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Orlando on Sunday. For the 85-year-old Chin, who moved to Orlando in 1968, the parade was like watching the growth of Orlando's Asian community pass before his eyes.
At the time Chin took a job as an engineer for Martin Marietta Corporation,Orlando's Asian community was about the size of a dinner party. Today, there are 79,000 Asians in the metropolitan area of Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
"I am proud to be able to see people get together and participate in the Chinese New Year's tradition," said Chin.
An estimated 4,000 people attended the Dragon Parade and Lunar New Year Festival, now in its second year. The dragon parade down Hillcrest Street culminated with a festival featuring food vendors, Asian organizations and entertainment. Altogether, 35 organizations participated in the event.
"This is a big day for all the Asian communities," said Shally Wong, publisher of Asian Trend magazine and one of the event's organizers.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer acknowledged the contribution the Asian community has made to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Orlando.
"We embrace diversity and believe diversity in our community is our greatest strength," Dyer said.
Dyer noted that Sunday began the Year of the Snake. A house with a snake is considered a good omen because it means you won't starve.
Many in the crowd wore red, which symbolizes luck in the Chinese culture. Red envelopes containing "lucky money" are also exchanged. The more money the envelope contains, the more prosperity in the new year for the giver and the receiver.
"All the children know about the lucky money," said Chin's daughter Tina Wing. "Everybody loves the lucky money."
jkunerth@tribune.com or 407-420-5392
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-lunar-new-year-dragon-parade-20130210,0,6053497.story?track=rss
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