Local Chinese Americans Celebrating the Year of the Rat
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Two thousand eight (2008) is the year 4706 in the Chinese lunar calendar and the Chinese New Year was February 7th. The Year of the Rat is significant in Chinese culture because this animal is the first sign in the Chinese Zodiac signifying the beginning of a new cycle. Rats were welcomed in ancient times as a protector and harbinger of material prosperity. It is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order.
A local organization known as CASEC (Chinese Association of Science, Economics, and Culture of South Florida) hosted a magnificent celebration at Olympic Heights High School on February 2nd to celebrate the new year drawing over a thousand participants. The celebration began at 4 p.m. with a splendid show that exhibited local talent as well as professional performers. Following the show guests were treated to a Chinese dinner with distinctive Chinese entries like pepper salt shrimp, chow mein, spring rolls, barbecued pork, chicken wings, and much more. Each child under 9 was given a red envelope containing New Year money. After dinner began ballroom dancing, Karaoke, and card games, and the activities lasted till 11 p.m.
CASEC is the largest Chinese American association in South Florida. With fourteen years of history, CASEC boasts twelve hundred members ranging from Jupiter to Homestead. This organization's political clout is evident by the significant recognitions it receives. Senator Mel Martinez sent a congratulatory letter to CASEC and Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade county governments proclaimed February 2nd to be the Chinese American Day in all three counties. Distinguished guests included Deputy Consul General, Boren Yu, from the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Houston and Maria Lorts Sachs the state representative of Florida House District 86. The Chinese New Year celebration was a powerful occasion that brought together Americans of all kinds and raised awareness of a large ethnic culture in Florida.
The show began with the ceremony called "Dragon's Eye Dotting Ceremony" to enliven every newly made dragon and to signify the beginning of a new year. Consul General Yu and Representative Sachs did the honor of wakening up the Dragon and the CASEC President, Monica Shang, wished everyone a very Happy New Year. Once awakened, the Dragon danced on the stage and then in the aisles among the audience accompanied by lions and drums, a cacophonous celebration that ushered in Year 4706. Following this splendid opening were chorus by adorable Chinese children, folk dances by students of Chinese language schools and local talent, acrobatics and magic by professionals, voice solos of local as well as professional singers, and much more, all introduced by the two MC's in a professional manner. The highlights were the Chi Gong master, who pushed his body weight on the tip of a sharp spear placed against his throat on one end and the other against the floor. The suspense in the auditorium was a tightly pulled rubber band as the audience watched and gasped at the spear bending into a half moon. Another unusual performance delighted the audience called "Mask Changing." A male opera dancer moved gracefully on the stage and changed his masks swiftly like a magician, reminding one of the wonderful Chinese film "The King of Masks."
After the show ended people moved into the cafeteria and found a thousand boxes of dinner for everyone waiting for them. As everyone enjoyed the dinner, CASEC's President, Monica Shang and Vice President of Palm Beach County, Wenying Xu, acknowledged and awarded plaques to the sponsors, who included businesses like AT&T and US Capital, insurance agents, doctors, dentists, churches, and merchants. Everyone seemed to have had a wonderful time and for CASEC to have organized such a large party in so smooth a manner, it was indeed an incredible feat.