Photo: Getty Images
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Colorful lions danced through the streets of Boston's Chinatown on Sunday, blessing shops and restaurants as they went to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Commissioner Michael Cox were among the crowd at the Lion Dance Parade.
"We wish everyone good health and fortune for the year of the rabbit," one man yelled to the crowd.
The annual parade, hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England in Chinatown, began at 10 A.M. bringing music, dancing, street food, and the sound of firecrackers to the downtown area. Eventgoers and performing lions made their way around Kneeland Street, Harrison Ave, and Essex Street to bring good luck for the New Year and scare away evil spirits.
Read More: Methuen Fatal Shooting Is Under Investigation, One Man Died Of Injuries
"All of the teams, and I believe there are eight or nine lion teams this year, they all separate and they'll each go to every shop and every restaurant in Chinatown to bless them," Sally of New Hampshire told WBZ's Suzanne Sausville. Sally makes the drive to attend the parade every year.
Many restaurants in the area left offerings of lettuce and mandarin orange outside for the lions, a symbolic tradition in which the lions will eat the offerings and spit them out to spread wealth and prosperity with the crowd. Some restaurant owners also offered envelopes full of money.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App