Reaching new heights for Chinese New Year
AN unprecedented turnout has put Saturday’s Great Barrier Reef Chinese New Year Street Festival in the history books.
Cairns and District Chinese Association (CADCAI) vice president Nathan Lee Long said they had never dealt with a crowd as large as the one at the weekend.
“We’ve had the biggest crowd we’ve had in a number of years,” Mr Lee Long said.
“It was jam-packed and it was quite hard to move through the street.”
“The stage entertainment created a lot of noise and a lot of fun, and the food on offer was just a treat. There were many different Chinese delicacies and favourites, as well as from other Asian cultures.”
Mr Lee Long said the celebrations were not just for people with Chinese backgrounds, but for everyone to enjoy.
“We call it Chinese New Year, but realistically it’s the Lunar New Year, and a large number of Asian cultures celebrate at this time. We always invite all cultures to come and enjoy the festivities,” he said.
“Celebrations will continue through the week.
“We invite everyone to come along and take part in all of those activities.”
Traditional Chinese singer Pranom Jantarat travelled from Cooktown to perform classic Chinese New Year songs like Gong Xi Gong Xi on the day.
She said it was with a bit of a luck that she managed to get down to Cairns without hitting floodwaters.
“I am so lucky, I left home early just in case there was flooding, but I got here fine,” Ms Jantarat said.
“I’m from Thailand originally, but I love the Chinese language.
“I love to watch Chinese movies, sing Chinese songs and enjoy Chinese food.
“This is my second year performing here, people love hearing the songs, they love it.”
Celebrations continue into this week.
The Great Barrier Reef Chinese New Year Street Festival lantern festival will be held on Friday from 5pm at the Cairns Chinese Friendship Garden on Greenslopes St.
For more information about upcoming events visit www.gbrchinesenewyear.com/eventschedule