The ninth annual Riverside Lunar New Year welcomed the Year of the Dog to residents in the city of Downtown Riverside as a Parade of nations lead the festivities with the many different performances that took place on the three stages on Mission Inn Avenue on the last Saturday of January from 10 am to 7 with the traditional fireworks and a concert to follow. Started by the Asian Pacific Cultural Society by founder May Lynn Davis, the completely free event welcomed thousands for a day long festival including street vendors, various displays of Asian Nations and even a Health expo for the first time this year.
This year asian pacific culturals had booths for people to learn a little more about their culture.
And one could pose with traditional garments and parasols.
Young kids and adults demonstrated various karate techniques.
And Hawaiian dancers demonstrated Hula techniques
A Tea tasting for residents to see the art of tea drinking.
Wells Fargo was in the spirit for the Year of the Dog with lovable dog banks for people to take home.
And dog adoptions were the highlight of the event also to commemorate the Year of the Dog and to help lovable friends find forever homes.
In the parade of nations, Taiko drums by the UC Riverside students kept the beat as different nations walked down the street with firecrackers chasing out the demons.
Women with parasols demonstrated traditional garb that women wear.
