They weren’t monkeying around!
Tens of thousands of revelers rang in the Year of the Monkey during the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association’s Lunar New Year parade on Feb. 21.
More than 500 young dancers and senior singers kicked off the party with a performance at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue. The singers belted New Years songs and selections from popular Chinese opera while dancers performed traditional steps.
Local leaders and representatives from community groups hopped on stage to bid the crowd a happy new year after the performances. Guests this year included Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, state and local legislators, police officials, and members of the local community board.
Then celebrants marched down Eighth Avenue to 61st Street. The procession literally started with a bang — or thousands of them. The Fire Department lit off more than 50,000 firecrackers in the street — a tradition said to scare off evil spirits — and organizers released thousands of red and yellow balloons into the air.
Traditional lion dancers in their colorful costumes held a ceremonial dance and then led the procession down Eighth Avenue, which was lined with partiers throwing confetti and intoning noisemakers.
The New Year was Feb. 8, but the association postponed its party due to cold weather.
