Chinese New Year Celebration in Harvard Square [03/05/17]

The Harvard Square Business Association is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration in Harvard Square. The pageantry begins at 12:30pm on Sunday, March 5th in Winthrop Park (at the intersection of Mt. Auburn and JFK Streets) with the colorful and exciting lion dance. Immediately following the dance, parade with us through Harvard Square as we march down Massachusetts Avenue, and onward to our final destination, The Hong Kong Restaurant, 1238 Massachusetts Avenue.

The Hong Kong, a venerable Harvard Square institution since 1954, opens its doors and welcomes the public for an afternoon of food, art and music. These free, family friendly activities begin at 1:00pm and conclude at 3:30pm. The Hong Kong stands as a shining example of the diverse cultures and cuisine that can be found in Harvard Square.

Schedule of Activities:

12:30pm – 1:15pm Winthrop Park - enjoy tasty Chinese tidbits generously donated by the Hong Kong Restaurant, Tom’s BaoBao and DAVIDs TEA

1:00pm Lion Dance Parade assembles in Winthrop Park, followed by the procession to the Hong Kong

1:00pm – 3:30pm Arts and Crafts on the 2nd floor of the Hong Kong (1238 Massachusetts Avenue)

1:30pm – 3:30pm Performances, Lantern Riddles and prizes on the 3rd floor of the Hong Kong

Performances and arts and crafts are presented by the Chinese Cultural Connection, Inc.

We are honored to dedicate this year’s event to the life and legacy of Mary (Buoy) Lee, founder and matriarch of The Hong Kong. Mrs. Lee, who passed away on August 17, 2016 at the age of 90, had been the sponsor, mentor and caretaker for many. “It’s such a warm and wonderful memory that I have of Mrs. Lee,” said Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association. “She cared about people and she worked really hard, but she was very kind and very giving and she was also very fierce… a strong, lovely woman.”

Lee and her husband, Jimmy (Sen) Lee started the Hong Kong Restaurant in 1954. At that time, it was a single dining room at 1238 Massachusetts Ave., but in the 1970s, the family expanded the restaurant into the three floors of space it includes today. Mary Lee’s children still run the Cambridge restaurant and its Faneuil Hall sibling. The Hong Kong Restaurants are known for their lively nightlife scenes, with dancing, comedy, karaoke, scorpion bowls, and more.

2017 is the Year of the Rooster. The Rooster is an animal guided by its instinct, welcoming the morning sun for no other reason that it just feels right. Similarly, those born under the sign of the Rooster will often find success when they allow themselves to be led by their instinct. This way compromise is swift, respect is steadily gained, and the overall pace of their life is one in which they continue to achieve rather than dwell or worry. But for those under the sign of the Rooster, however, this beneficial way of life is not something that comes to them without effort. Rather, it is the result of holding off a different type of urge, the urge to overthink.

When a Roosters allow themselves to overthink a situation, they can get caught on the details and sometimes lose sight of the larger picture. The result being that decisions do not come as easily as they might, and their life will not progress at the speed that it is really capable of going. With a little trust, and the ability to just commit, however, a Rooster can work to overcome these issues. Though while they tend to see better results when they go with their gut reaction, the worst case is merely slow and steady, rather than anything worrisome.

Be sure to stop by A Friendly Inn at Harvard at 1673 Massachusetts Avenue between noon and 5:00pm for a Chinese New Year celebration with cultural activities for children including selfies with a red rooster, Chinese poetry reading of “Little Yellow Chick”, Chinese candy and red date tea and receive a red envelope with real lucky money inside!

Chinese New Year Celebration in Harvard Square

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Chinese New Year Celebration in Harvard Square

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