The Argyle neighborhood was buzzing with festivity this past weekend as the Lunar New Year Parade took to the streets, sporting a dazzling array of cultural displays. The longstanding tradition, known for celebrating the rich tapestry of Asian cultures in the area, drew a multitude of locals and visitors alike to welcome the Year of the Dragon.
With over four decades under its belt, the parade witnessed a lively turnout and commenced proceedings at the corner of Argyle Street and North Winthrop Avenue, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. Revelers were treated to a spectacle of lion dancers leading the parade with Timothy Huang, age 25, swapping into the demanding role of the lion's head — a task he found "taxing" yet intensely rewarding when met by the exuberance of onlookers. Huang shared his experience with the Chicago Sun-Times, "It’s very tiring but it’s definitely fun. I enjoy putting the effort in... You don’t really see this every day."
Complementing the lions were dragon-masked educators Hannah Gallagher and Katherine Wolf from Goudy Technology Academy, marking their third parade appearance. Wolf comes from an acrobatic circus background and has harnessed her costume-making skills for the parade, opting for paper masks sourced from Etsy that demand around five hours of meticulous assembly. She recollected a "romantic" snowy parade from just two years prior, and illuminated Chicago Sun-Times, "I’ve always just been very inspired by costumes. Every day is a theme, and I just dress to the theme."
In an exciting expansion, this year's parade festivities branched into a full day of activities beginning with a children's crafts hour at the Bezazian Library Branch, and culminating in post-parade performances from cultural groups, as per information from Block Club Chicago. TimeLine Theatre joined the celebratory wave by hosting a special exhibit on the history of the Lunar New Year, and the crafting of a dragon art piece to honor the mythical creature's year.
The parade's growing inclusiveness resonated deeply with attendees. Local Uptown resident Nebula Li, adorned in red to symbolize fortune and community in Asian culture, commended the parade's embrace of diverse Asian cultures. He told Chicago Sun-Times, "I’m Chinese but I think it’s really great that Lunar New Year is shifting to be more inclusive." Rene Carizey, who ventured from Oak Park with his kids, felt a sense of familiarity at the parade, expressing, "It’s nice to bring my kids out here to see their culture. ... The community here is special. It’s nice to have this little pocket of Vietnamese culture." These sentiments illustrate the parade's role in knitting a colorful and connected cultural fabric across the neighborhood.
