8/30/13 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority may institute a new celebration next year aimed at increasing awareness of Asian culture, and it is looking for feedback from residents. The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated by a number of countries in Asia, and the idea of a local celebration was recently brought to the Howell DDA. Director Diane Larkin says her organization has been looking for something to provide to residents during the winter months following the holiday season. The Lunar New Year is a two-week celebration beginning in late January. The DDA is hoping to have a single-day celebration in early February to provide activities and education about Asian cultures where the Lunar New Year is celebrated. Larkin hopes to partner with the Howell Carnegie District Library and local school districts for the event. She says with increasing local involvement and investment from Thai Summit, it would be appropriate and helpful for local residents to learn more about Asian cultures. Larkin says more dramatic elements of the holiday, including a dragon train and fireworks, could also be a part of the celebration. The DDA is still in the preliminary stages of planning, and is seeking ideas from the community about what kind of New Year traditions from Asian cultures they would like to see included in the event. (TD)
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