Dress to impress at Lunar New Year

Residents and visitors attending this year’s Canterbury Bankstown Lunar New Year celebration, are being encouraged to wear their finest national dress.

Mayor Khal Asfour said those who ‘dress to impress’ to welcome in the Year of the Pig, will have the chance to join the ‘Parade of Nations’ at 6pm and receive a FREE Marigold plant.

Mayor Khal Asfour said the parade would highlight Canterbury-Bankstown’s proud diversity.

"I’m looking forward to the carnival of colours, and sharing one another’s culture with the rest of the community," he said.

In some cultures, the Marigold plant is said to protect one from evil and bring good luck.

"As we rejoice in the promise of a new year, I hope that it is filled with new beginnings, good health, and prosperity," Mayor Asfour said.

Mayor Asfour encouraged visitors to the festival to try something new this year, whether it was exploring a different food or activity.

"You don’t have to be a master of something to have fun. Why not try the art of Calligraphy, Origami, or lantern and Chung cake making?" he said.

"We alos have a Korean BBQ, a selection of dumplings, oodles of noodles, plus much, much more."

The Lunar New Year Festival will be held on Saturday 2 February at Bankstown City Plaza (Saigon Place), Chapel Road South, from 4-9pm.

Lunar New Year celebrations will also be held in Campsie on Wednesday 13 February, from noon, with a lion dance in Anzac Mall (Beamish Street), which will make its way up and down the town centre. The God of Fortune will accompany the Lion, offering lucky envelopes and fortune cookies to all.

For more information on Council’s Lunar New Year festivities, visit cb.city/lunarnewyear