Sheffield's Chinese New Year parade roars into life

The Sheffield Chinese Association and pupils from the Sheffield Chinese School welcomed the Chinese New Year of the Monkey with a weekend of celebrations.

Traditional dragon and lion dances took place as part of the parade as it snaked it way along the Moor and London Road on Saturday afternoon.

Deputy Lord Mayor Coun Denise Fox performed the eye dotting ceremony to awaken the dragon and lions.

The event was followed by an afternoon of cultural performances by pupils at the school yesterday ahead of the start of the official Chinese New Year today.

Paul Cheung, one of the organisers, said: “We had a lot of rain but that didn’t stop everyone enjoying the events.

“Around 200 people cam to the Town Hall to watch the parade and the children really enjoyed it.

“During the parade we gave fortune cookies and candy to people lining the streets.

“It is an important part of our tradition and it was exciting to share this.”

The Sheffield Chinese Association is continuing the celebrations with a karaoke evening on Tuesday, February 23, at Wong Ting Chinese Restaurant on Matilda Street in aid of the Chinese School.

n Tickets for the event are available by contacting 07748 844404 or 07747 617793.