Welcoming the Year of the Dragon

With bangs popping, drums pounding, Buddah figures bobbing, and silk dragons swaying as background, thousands of residents jammed the small Chinatown section of DC this afternoon to help the area's Chinese community celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The traditional Lunar or Spring Festival celebrations go back thousands of years. While the American calendar calls this year 2012, it is 4710 in the Chinese calendar. It is also the Year of the Dragon, the most lucky of the 12 Chinese signs.

 

Of course, as with so many things in this political city, the idea of a DC Chinatown is contentious. Critics say that a large Chinese gate and 1 street of Chinese restaurants do not a Chinatown such as those in San Fransisco make. The area referred to as Chinatown is now dominated by the Verizon Center, home to Washington's professional basketball and ice hockey teams. In an attempt to capitalize on the Chinatown theme, area chain restaurants like McDonald's and even Hooter's and stores like Urban Outfitters display Chinese characters on their outside signs, which has outraged supporters of authenticity.

But for one afternoon, the controversy was put aside as everyone seemed to enjoy the parade, sponsored by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associated. Crowds, in some places 20-deep, lined the streets. Fathers and mothers placed little ones on their shoulders so they could get a better view of the brightly-colored, costumed marchers. A particular hit with the junior set were the Chinese martial arts groups,  who would periodically halt to perform their skills and pose for pictures.

While waiting for the parade, young boys and some girls created a fun way to pass time. The streets were lined with vendors whose tables were packed with snap bangs and, the youngsters, armed with a box or 2 of the poppers, took the street, squealing with delight as they dashed and darted to avoid fire-cracker like objects snapping as they struck the pavement.

The parade crowd, which caused gridlock on the sidewalks, was a boon to local Chinese eateries. For example, with an hour to go before the parade start, the wait at Ming's and Tony Cheng's Seafood was at least 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, those outside not dining, wiggled and wormed their way to find the best vantage for viewing. With restaurants already full, many decided that their best viewing option was to mount the stairs of the local eateries and watch from there.

Tales, Tips, and Tidbits
Almost all cultures have foods that they believe should be consumed on the new year for good luck.  As the son of a southern father, I always found black eyed peas on our New Year's dinner table no matter what the menu.  The Chinese, too, have their good luck dishes. Originally, we had wanted to dine at Zentan, which was offering a meal of traditional Chinese good luck food for $47.10, a figure  based on the date of this year of the dragon. But Zentan isn't open on Sundays. So, instead we ate at Eat First, our favorite Chinatown restaurant. Click here to see what we would have eaten if we had gotten to Zentan before the special expired on Saturday.