Year of the Golden Pig celebration in Flushing

Thousands of revelers packed the streets of Flushing and marched in a colorful procession on Saturday, February 17 in honor of the Lunar New Year. The festivities, which started at 11 a.m. at 37th Avenue and Union Street, ended after marchers turned the corner from Main Street onto 37th Avenue, where a deafening fireworks display was ignited.
Hundreds of costumed dancers, dragons, lions, kings, gods, and even one barbarian participated in the parade, which was led by Grand Marshall Peter Koo, President of the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA). Local politicians Assemblymembers Toby Stavisky and Ellen Young, Senator Frank Padavan, and Councilmember John Liu carried the parade’s official opening banner to the grandstand, in front of the Flushing branch of the Queens Library at the intersection of Main Street and Kissena Boulevard.
The parade, which has been held each year for about a decade, marked the coming of the New Year - the Year of the Golden Pig. This year is extra special because the zodiac sign of the pig coincides with the calendar’s gold element, one of five elements that rotate every year. Babies born during a Year of the Pig are believed to be lucky, hardworking and loyal and will lead comfortable and wealthy lives. About 30 organizations, including the FCBA, helped to organize the parade and marched in this year’s Flushing celebration.