Pacific | Julie Moree's News Watch

January 31, 2017

Riverside Welcomes The Rooster

At 10 o’clock, the parade of nations marched down market street toward the days festivities.

All Asian Cultures were encouraged to come out and take place in this momentous occasion.

Even the taiko drummers marched regally down the street demonstrating their talents.

And of course the Riverside fire department was there to show their support and keep every one safe.

Vendors including Farm Fresh to you, were along the street entising people to try their services.

While others offered free things like face painting for all.

This year markets the year of the Fire rooster and it just so happens to fall on the first official day of the new year.

Red lanterns lined the street for the occasion.

And of course asian decor displayed at the booths.

Sample of tea made while you waited at the tables.

And Origami was demonstrated for those brave enough to try.

Residents got into the spirit by embracing their own asian roots including asian pacific islanders with their ukeleles.

Residents could even learn chinese as well as japanese chalegraphy.

And the CHP kept us safe by reminding that they are our friends.

In the children’s villiage, there was a petting zoo where children could enjoy a little animal therapy.

And anyone could create their own doll, necklace or lantern in the arts and crafts area.

The sun began to set around 6 and the lanterns illuminated the streets to get ready for the fireworks at 645.

February 4, 2016

Riverside welcomes “The Monkey”

Festivities start early in Downtown Riverside as the 6th annual Asian Pacific Lunar New Year kicks off the Year of the Monkey on Saturday January 31, 2016. Roughly 70 thousand people turned out for the celebration which included a Parade of Nations, opening welcome, entertainment throughout the streets as well as food and culminating with fireworks to officially kick of the New Year.

Watch the video below to see just what kind of performances people saw throughout the day’s free event.

The Year of the Monkey official starts on the first new moon between January 20 and February 15 and concludes with the Lantern festival in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016. Stay tuned for the conclusion coming in a few weeks.

January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

Whale Fiesta 2014

On Sunday January 26, 2014, residents said Bon Voyage to the majestic whale as they started their annual migration from the northern most point of Alaska to the southern regions of Mexico/South America.

The event celebrates the migration of the Pacific Grey Whale and begins the whale watching season.

At Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro California a Whale Fiesta commemorated the occasion.

The whale took two hours to complete on the shore of Cabrillo State Beach.

A large sand sculpture of a whale took about two hours to create as kids played on the beach and decorated the creature with their own creativity.

Duct Tape Whale — A contest for the best whale sculpture had people creating unique perspectives of whales.

Inside the aquarium, activities celebrated the whale with a Duct Tape Contest, allowing people to create their own version of a whale using creativity.

Slide show photo — Photo of a slide show where Alps talks about different whales seen of California’s Coast.

And Photographer Bernardo Alps shared up close and personal photographs of spectacular whales that he’s seen on whale watching excursions out from the Port of Los Angeles.

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is open 12-5, Tuesday through Friday and 10-5, Saturday and Sunday for a small donation of five dollars andfeatures many exhibits of marine and aquatic life that lives just off the coast.