2016 Chinese New Year Event

The inaugural Palo Alto Chinese New Year Fair (CNY Fair) was successfully held on Feb. 21, 2016. More than 1,200 Chinese immigrants and residents of various ethnicities came to the Fair to celebrate Chinese New Year together. “Palo Alto Weekly,” a local influential newspaper reported on the event twice. In addition, KQED also reported on this great event.

In comparison to many Chinese New Year celebration events that are attended only by Chinese, this CNY Fair is designed as a community building event for all Palo Alto residents. The theme for the Fair is “Share Festivity, Build Community.” The Fair is also an opportunity to showcase Chinese culture, to promote giving back to the community, and to build friendships among Palo Alto residents of different ethnicities.

Palo Alto Mayor Patrick Burt and PAUSD Superintendent Max McGee both gave speeches at the opening event, and then stayed to enjoy the Fair. Mayor Burt found himself learning a new game at the Majong table while Superintendent McGee, wearing a charming Chinese gown, made fast friends. Fair goers enjoyed over two hours’ non-stop performances of Chinese singing and dancing, the art of Chinese calligraphy, dumpling making, Chinese chess, and a variety of other fun Chinese cultural activities. And there was no shortage of delicious and various home-made Chinese New Year finger foods to sample.

The Fair generated $4,000 income through food sales. All of the proceeds were donated to the PTA Council to support programs that help Palo Alto students. The Fair also set an example of the Chinese community giving back to the entire local community.

This grass roots effort was organized by the Palo Alto Neighborhood WeChat Group and the Palo Alto Chinese Parents’ Group. The most significant achievement of the Fair was to get the City of Palo Alto on board to co-sponsor the event and make the Fair an event for the whole city. The Fair was fully supported by the local Chinese business community and generous donors. The success of this CNY Fair also introduced the Chinese New Year celebration into the local mainstream culture.