Biggest-ever Chinese event 12,000 at riverside celebrations doubles usual total
Organisers have confirmed last weekend’s Chinese New Year celebrations were Perth’s biggest-ever.
Andy Chan, chair of PKAVS, estimated around 12,000 people took part in the celebrations - more than double the previous best.
Linking in with Perth’s Winter Festival and the Norie Miller light show has been key to the event’s success this year, according to Andy.
He said: “This year was awesome. We couldn’t believe we had 12,000 people come down over the two days. We usually only get five or six thousand.
“The partnership with Perth and Kinross Council and the Norie Miller lights was great. Being the tail end of the Winter Fest was great too.
“Obviously Chinese New Year isn’t until today (Friday, February 16), but it makes sense to have it at the weekend. Last time, it was a Monday or Tuesday but this was much better. From now on, it has to be this way.
“There’s quite a few this weekend across Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen that I’m going to for inspiration, but now they’re coming to us for inspiration too.
“I want to say a massive thanks to the people of Perth for coming out and making this event what it was, as well as to everyone who came in from outside of the city. People from Dundee were telling us how great it was and that they don’t do anything to celebrate the occasion there.
“We’re delighted to have put the Chinese New Year celebrations on the calendar. This year we got involved with the Polish, Bulgarian, Indian and Pakistani communities and proved Chinese New Year is not just for Chinese people.
“This year, Mr Lui On Lee, president of the Confederation of Chinese Associations in Scotland, and Mr Pan Xin Chun, the Chinese
12,000 people headed to Perth’s Norie Miller Walk over the Friday and Saturday
Perth’s Chinese Community celebrated their biggest-ever New Year event
Consul General, came along for the first time and couldn’t believe how big it was for a small city. They’ll definitely both be back.
“I need to say a big thank you to everyone who helped organise the event. A special thanks has to go to Michael Boyle from Perth and Kinross Council’s events team - I’ve worked with him a couple of times now and he’s fantastic.”