For those who look to the zodiac for personal guidance, the Year of the Rat signals the start of the Chinese zodiac beginning the first of its 12-year cycle.
What makes the celestial Rat very intriguing as a sign and worthy of our attention is that it signals to us mortals that 2020 is going to be a time for us to be flexible. It asks that we strive to keep an open mind in all that we seek in this new year. Keeping in mind that this is an election year, I find this advice truly enlightening in its timing. Those who heed the ancient message of the rat may even find navigating life much easier during what promises to be an exciting new lunar year.
To commemorate the Year of the Rat,
The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival and Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. present the
Lunar New Year Festival (LYNF) as part of our city’s World of Winter Festival happening in the North Monroe Neighborhood’s pop-up event space at 555 Monroe NW.
LNYF is more than just a celebration of the New Year based on the lunar calendar, as our local festival will present on Saturday evening a variety showcase devoted to lifting up the various cultures hailing from all over Asia.
In addition to having a heated tent for those who are concerned about the cold temps, LNYF offers activities for children, a dragon dance performance from Calvin College students, festive firecrackers, and visually stunning lion dancers.
In addition, the festival welcomes Heather Truong of
TRU Empire, dance performances from the
Grand Valley Asian Student Union, music from Caleb John Lawson & Friends, and a very special performance from the children of the Lao Buddhist Temple of Holland.
Throughout the night at this unique Asian-Pacific cultural event, LNYF will be giving away prizes as well as inviting attendees to participate in interactive activities at the festival for a chance to win gift cards from area businesses and other special items.
Those seeking to reign in one’s spending at the first of our new year will be happy to learn this culturally-immersive event is free to all. And with the money saved via free admission, Rapid Growth invites folks attending to consider directing those savings to one of the many Asian food vendors who will be participating at the 2020 LNYF.
We call upon the spirit of the rat to entice you to join this special community-led celebration on the banks of the river in downtown Grand Rapids and support our Asian-Pacific community at the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival.