The Lunar New Year marks an important holiday for people of Asian heritage.
And, according to the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, 2019 is the Year of the Pig — a symbol of wealth in the Chinese culture because of its chubby face and body.
In Coquitlam, there are a few events happening to celebrate the turn of the calendar:
• Feb. 2: The Tri-City News is a sponsor for the Year of the Boar activities at Henderson Place Mall (1163 Pinetree Way) from noon to 4 p.m., featuring stage performances, exhibits, a kids’ corner and hourly draws for shoppers. Entry to the kids’ corner is $5 per child and includes face panting, balloon twisting, a bouncy castle and wiggle cars; proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. The event opens with a traditional lion eye-dotting ceremony and dance followed by an appearance by the God of Fortune and lettuce picking.
• Feb. 3: The Swedish furniture company, IKEA, will have a lion dance during a traditional eye-dotting ceremony with Chinese drums and gongs to ring in the new year, at 12:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Coquitlam store entrance, at 1000 Lougheed Hwy.
• Feb. 7: Tuck into a Chinese feast and enjoy the entertainment at the city of Coquitlam’s Glen Pine Pavilion, a seniors’ centre located south of city hall at 1200 Glen Pine Crt. The luncheon is on from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; admission is $13.50 via signmeup.coquitlam.ca (barcode 634406).
