The special year of wooden snakes is about transformation and change. And those celebrating it in Manhattan's Chinatown on Sunday said that even a downpour can't dampen their hopes for it.
“It's a New Year. A new starting point. A new energy. A new beginning. Every year there is a new opportunity for a new beginning,” said Renatan, 60, who danced at the parade with East Culture Art Company to arrive at the beginning of the new year of the month. I did.
It was revealed that Paul Gordon, 48, was a Filipino parade with his Chinese wife and family every year.
“I'm looking forward to this parade,” he said. “I look forward to seeing delicious food, and seeing the community come together. It's nice to see everyone come together.”
“Last year we had the biggest crowd. This year we still have a good crowd in the rain,” Gordon said.
Even in the rain, parade marchers took over under the ponchos and umbrellas, with viewers lining up narrow sidewalks and trying to keep them crowded and dry under the awnings.
The rain eventually cleared up in the afternoon and the rest of the parade disappeared without wrinkles.
“I'm excited to be here, rain or shine,” said City Councilman Christopher Marte.
“It's a historic event that happens every year here in Chinatown, and it's great to see so many people in the rain,” he said.
Sunday celebrations began the year of snakes – more specifically, there are wooden snakes that have not appeared since 1965. The normal year of snakes occurs every 12 years.
The Wooden Snake Year is considered to be a year of change and rapid change, but it can be positive and transformative.
