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Chester celebrates the Lunar Year of the Horse
Summary
Chester marked the Lunar New Year of the Horse on Saturday with lion and dragon dances, traditional music and cultural characters in the city centre, organised by the Wah Lei Chinese Association with support from Bank of America and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Content
Chester marked the Lunar New Year of the Horse on Saturday with public performances and cultural activities in the city centre. The procession began at 11am on Eastgate Street and continued along Northgate Street to Chester Town Hall. The event was organised by the Wah Lei Chinese Association and supported by Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester Council and several local organisations. Performances included traditional music, lion and dragon dancing, non-combustible firecrackers and appearances by cultural characters.
What happened:
- The celebrations took place on Saturday morning in Chester city centre, starting at 11am and finishing at Chester Town Hall.
- The Wah Lei Chinese Association led the event with support from Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race Equality Centre, the University of Chester and Chester Voluntary Action.
- Performances included traditional music, colourful lion and dragon dances, non-combustible firecrackers and characters such as the God of Prosperity, the Emperor of Heaven and the Happy Buddha.
- Maria Yuen of the Ji Siu Tai Chi Chuan Group helped start the festivities, and the Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy led by Steve Ornelas featured the lions and dragon dance.
- Calligraphy sessions and interactive activities were held inside the Town Hall, hosted by tutors from the Wah Lei Saturday Mandarin school, with a special guest appearance by Tai Chi Panda.
Summary:
The festival highlighted volunteer-led cultural programmes and the involvement of community partners and sponsors, which organisers said support inclusion and connection. It combined outdoor procession performances with indoor activities for families and visitors. Undetermined at this time.