Thousands at Chinese Lantern Festival
A paper dragon danced to the beat of a Chinese folk song, mesmerising a crowd that filled central Hamilton to overflowing.
Children feasted on dumplings and rice as a martial arts trio sliced air in preparation for their act.
Hamilton’s Garden Place played host to the Chinese Lantern Festival on Saturday evening, with close to 2000 in attendance.
Among those at the event was Hamilton City Council Mayor Andrew King.
‘‘I wanted to dedicate tonight to the memory of Councillor Philip Yeung, who died at the end of last year and who was very, very supportive of any of the Chinese events,’’ King told the crowd.
‘‘The Chinese Lantern Festival is to celebrate the beginning of spring. It’s autumn here in New Zealand but the start of spring in China.
‘‘The Chinese New Year lasts for a month so that’s why the celebration [goes] on and on and on – but that’s the way it is. I wouldn’t mind if we partied for a month as well – maybe we should consider that.’’
The festival is part of Chinese tradition and takes place at the beginning of the new year at the first bright full moon. The day is celebrated with entertainment, food, fireworks and colourful lanterns that fill the night sky.
The hosts for the three-hour event were Labour MP Jamie Strange and Wendy Li.
Strange gave a brief history of the festival.
‘‘People will try and solve the puzzles on the lanterns, [they] eat rice balls shaped like the full moon and have all their families united in the joyful atmosphere.’’
The crowd was treated to over 20 performances, including ballet, a waist drum dance, a magic show, and several singers and group dances.