Chinese banners Chinatown 2017
Chinatown / Los Angeles

Lion dancers and more at the Chinatown Golden Dragon parade in Los Angeles

by carollightwood
lion dancers golden dragon parade
There were many many more lion dancers in the Golden Dragon parade this year. The people carrying these lion costumes were from a martial arts school.

The weather gods must love parades. The Rose Parade, the Doo-Dah parade, the Chinatown Golden Dragon parade all happen during our Southern California rainy season, but the days of these parades usually are sunny, although not necessarily warm.

The Chinese New Year’s parade changes only slightly from year to year, but is always fun to photograph, so expecting more of the same, I slipped on a sweater–it was slightly chilly–and caught the Metro to Chinatown.

waiting for parade chinatown 2017
People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds come to the Chinatown parade, some dressed in Chinese-inspired clothing. Parents bring children who are always enthralled by the parade colors and the noises of confetti poppers and tiny fire crackers.
street food vendor chinatown
What would any parade in Los Angeles be without street vendors selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs! (No chiles for me, please.) BTW, if Trump really takes action to deport 8 MILLION people, all our street vendors will disappear, just as the L.A. City Council is planning to start licensing them. Most are Mexican immigrants without papers. Selling street food is a cheap way to start a business here and a great convenience for the community.
The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California ALWAYS comes at the head of the parade (behind the motorcycle police). Unlike previous years, the men and women carrying the flags were young. In other years most had gray hair. These must be the grandchildren!
The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California ALWAYS comes at the head of the parade.  Well, they come right behind the LAPD motorcycle drill team which ALWAYS puts on a loud, crowd-pleasing show to clear the way for the parade. Unlike previous years, the men and women carrying the flags were young. In other years most had gray hair. These must be the grandchildren.
chinese banners
These banners appear in the parade every year and are always gorgeous!
the official golden dragon
This is the ‘official’ golden dragon we see annually.
year of the rooster float
According to one interpretation, a person born in a ‘fire rooster’ year is trustworthy and punctual. The punctuality comes from the rooster’s early morning crowing, according to that source. I like the dash and boldness of this rooster on the float.
cathay bank rooster float
It’s the year of the Fire Rooster, but this chicken on the Cathay Bank float looked very benign, like something one would see in a backyard. (Yes, people keep chickens in back yards in L.A.)
marching band chinese new year parade
Of course, there were marching bands and drill teams!
another two dragons
Far more people of Chinese ancestry live in the San Gabriel Valley east of L.A. than in Chinatown. Maybe to prove their importance they come to this parade every year bearing two dragons, one pink, one red. The little girl on the right was the most enthusiastic parade watcher I’ve seen in years. Waving, yelling, giving two thumbs up. She especially liked the Mexican horse riders in the parade and this small size lion dancer.
favorite lion dancer
One thing I learned this year: to help bring good luck, give the lion dancer a dollar or two. This one got my dollar and I hope good luck follows! I love the girl looking up into the lion dancers face. She is the same Miss Enthusiasm seen in the photo, above.

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