The Lancaster Asian American Pacific Islanders' second annual Lunar New Year celebration on Sunday was double the size of the first.
"This is amazing!" Lancaster AAPI co-Vice President Julia Cao exclaimed, delighted at the turnout.
Last year's inaugural celebration took place just in Ewell Plaza. This year, it stretched across Ewell Plaza into Binns Park in the 100 block of North Queen Street. In the plaza, long lines queued up for Korean barbecue, boba tea and other Asian fare, while across the street, a succession of dancers, singers and drummers took the Binns Park stage.
The preparation for this year's edition started almost as soon as last year's ended, Cao said.
The Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar — in this instance, welcoming in the Year of the Dragon.
In conjunction with Sunday's event, Lancaster AAPI announced the launch of a giving circle. Donations go to a fund hosted by the Lancaster County Community Foundation; decisions on grants will be made by a group of AAPI stakeholders.
Details are still being worked out, Cao said, but the group is hoping to fund initiatives and organizations that support the AAPI community and nurture education through scholarships.
A year ago, Lancaster AAPI was an informal group. In May, it incorporated, a step it took so it could have a bank account, Cao said. In coming months, it plans to organize as a 501c3 nonprofit. It has a core executive committee of around 10 people, and a mailing list of close to 400, she said.
Going forward, with Lunar New Year taking place in February during Black History Month; and the Autumn Moon Festival coming during Hispanic Heritage Month, there are opportunities for partnerships and joint events, she said.
"We are excited to collaborate with more organizations," she said. "… It's not an either/or. It's a both/and," she said.
Photos
(Photos: Tim Stuhldreher | One United Lancaster)
