Hot Springs residents celebrate Lunar New Year
Taylor Davison
Operators of the rainbow fish braved the fierce winds of the day to swim down the road.
Taylor Davison
A tiger was the one to lead the way to celebrate the Year of the TIger.
Taylor Davison
A group dance followed the tiger along with a procession of musical instruments.
Taylor Davison
Most of the puppets have been made by members of the community.
Taylor Davison
Taylor Davison
Taylor Davison
Taylor Davison
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HOT SPRINGS — The annual Lunar New Year parade kicked off in Hot Springs on Saturday with a colorful display put together by the community.
Celebrating the Year of the Tiger, the parade was launched with the shot of a cannon, and a tiger danced its way to the front of the procession to lead the way as the music began.
The crowd cheered as beautifully crafted puppets flowed down a crowded Main Street where the town had gathered to watch, despite cold gusts of wind. A group of small children with colorful batons led a dance to the beat of two drums and a small instrumental section followed behind, creating an energetic soundtrack to accompany the lively displays.
“That’s the great thing about this parade, half the town participates, and the other half gathers to watch,” one resident said as they followed the march.
In 2007, Hot Springs began holding small celebrations in town for both the winter solstice and Lunar New Year. Once the Year of the Dragon came around at the end of 2011, however, the town saw the opportunity for a parade along with the creation of the six-person dragon puppet that has participated in every parade since.
Along the way numerous other puppets carefully handcrafted by residents have been added, the largest most prominent being a rooster adorned with colorful feathers, a rainbow fish piloted by eight sets of legs, and a big blue ox that towered above the viewers.
“I like the music, and all the colors are really pretty,” one young onlooker shared.
“It’s the biggest event outside the Homesteaders Festival,” spectator Joan Smith stated. “It’s wonderful to see so many people come out and just enjoy something that everybody worked on and have a fun time.”
