Perry Nee, the Marketing Specialist for the World Journal welcomed everyone to Monterey Park’s Annual Lunar New Year Festival held on January 11th and 12th.

It was held on Garvey Avenue between Garfield Avenue and Alhambra Avenue.

The festival, sponsored by the City of Monterey Park, BIDAC and World Journal, included live entertainment, many food booths, flower booths, gift booths, information booths, art booths, Carnival rides and more.

Members of Folklore La Morenita from El Monte were the opening act. They dressed in colorful dress as they performed several folk dances. The audience enjoyed the mixture of several cultures at the Lunar Festival.

Mayor Hans Liang was the Master of Ceremony. He introduced the special guests that included Congressmember Judy Chu, Senator Susan Rubio, Assemblymember Ed Chau, Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing, Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian, Councilmember Stephen Lam, Councilmember Peter Chan, City Clerk Vince Chang, former Mayor David Lau and former Mayor Anthony Wong, Chief of Public Affairs Janet Chin from Assessor Jeffrey Prang’s office, Walnut Councilmember Allen Wu, Deputy Director General Tony Ong from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, San Gabriel Mayor Jason Pu, Alhambra School Boardmember Bob Gin and Garvey School Boardmember Henry Lo.

Johnny Thompson welcomed all to the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival.  He introduced the other members of the Business Improvement District Advisory Committee: Jessy Li, Gene Jeng, Josephine Louie and Darren Inouye to the audience. Their committee has supported this festival since 1992. He thanked the city of Monterey Park and World Journal for sponsoring this successful event. Over 400 small businesses are located in Monterey Park. We provide sales tax to the city. We bring people to shop in Monterey Park.

Mayor Hans Liang led our Flag Salute as everyone faced the flag.

Elisa Gibbons sang our Nation Anthem. The crowd clapped their approval at the end of our song.

Mayor Hans Liang welcomed everyone to Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration. Over 200,000 people will join with us to celebrate the Year of the Rat. It is the first year of the Chinese calendar. He told the story about the Jade Emperor in Heaven who named all of the animals that arrived at the Heavenly Gate. The Rat talked the Ox into giving him a ride on his back. At the last moment the Rat jumped off of the Ox and he was the first animal to arrive at the gate. The Rat begins the first year of the12 year calendar.

Mayor Liang thanked the audience for being here today. This is our 9th year to celebrate with the World Journal. He introduced Catherine Yu, President of the World Journal to the guests.

Catherine Yu welcomed everyone to this special event, the 2020 Lunar Festival.  She said that this is her first time to celebrate with all of you. The festival is set up on a five-block area. We may set a new record. Enjoy the event! Happy New Year, the Year of the Rat!

Congressmember Judy Chu said Happy New Year! She was on the City Council 20 years ago with our first festival. How we have the largest outdoor festival in Monterey Park. She thanked BIDAC and the World Journal for this festival.

The United States Post Office is dedicating their “Year of the Rat” stamp in Monterey Park at this event. It is the first time that our city has received this honor. OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocate led the effort to get the stamp issued. This is the third series that the stamps have been issue.

She stated the Congress has approved awarding 20,000 Congressional Gold Metals to Chinese men who fought in World War II. They were not allowed to become US citizens because of the Chinese Exclusion Act.  They fought for our freedoms. The metals will be awarded in Washington, DC in the near future.

Judy Chu presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials, the World Journal and members of BIDAC in honor of this celebration.

Senator Susan Rubio said today we are celebrating the Lunar New Year. This is very diverse community. She thanked Judy Chu for honoring our military families. She thanked all of the veterans. She thanked all of the city’s employees and all of the guests.

She presented proclamation to the World Journal in honor of this celebration.

Assemblymember Ed Chau said it is an honor for him to be here to kick off the New Year. He has attended this event for the last 9 years. He wished everyone Good Health and Happy New Year! He thanked the city of Monterey Park. He congratulated them for celebrating all of our cultures. He thanked BIDAC for the small businesses that are the backbone of our city.

He presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials, the World Journal and members of BIDAC in honor of this celebration.

Noel Loya from Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office wished everyone a Happy New Year!

She presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials, the World Journal and members of BIDAC in honor of this celebration.

Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing said he was delighted to see such a good turnout. He spoke about his grandfather who lived in Monterey Park.  He was a veteran of World War II. His wife, Gloria’s grandfather also served in World War II. His grandfather lived in Monterey Park and went to Chinatown in Los Angeles. His grandfather gave money to the homeless people he met. His grandfather told Mitch that you give to help other people. He dedicated his Council service to his grandfather.

Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian wished the guests a Happy New Year! All of the people here are going to enjoy the Lunar New Year. Monterey Park has a great Lunar New Year festival. We get to celebrate the Chinese culture. She thanked the World Journal and BIDAC for helping to make this event successful.

Councilmember Stephen Lam wished the audience Happy New Year! He thanked all of the dignitaries and sponsors for supporting Monterey Park and BIDAC. He served on the BIDAC for 9 years before he was elected to Council. He invited the World Journal to sponsor the event. He thanked Catherine Yu, BIDAC and all of the sponsors for this wonderful event.

We are so diverse in Monterey Park. We are the 3rd best city in the USA. He thanked the audience for their support.

Councilmember Peter Chan thanked all of our employees, the World Journal and BIDAC for the Chinese New Year celebration. The Chinese New Year resets the year. It is a hope for a better year. Thank you.

City Clerk Vince Chang wished everyone a Happy New Year! Welcome to Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year celebration. He helped with the stamps to honor the Chinese people. It is the Year of the Rat begins a brand new calendar. The rat is a little guy. It is the best year for small businesses in Monterey Park. He wished everyone success in 2020!

San Gabriel Mayor Jason Pu welcomed the guests to the Lunar New Year celebration. This is the largest celebration in Southern California. Happy New Year ten thousand times!

Walnut Councilmember Allen Wu said he is here to support Monterey Park’s New Year celebration. He thanked the World Journal, the city, BIDAC and all of the sponsors for this event. Happy New Year!

Tony Ong from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office thanked the city and all of the elected officials. Each year this event gets bigger and bigger. The event is held to a high quality. It makes our country great. We are a melting pot for all cultures with different events. We share in all of the cultures of the USA.

Janet Chin from Assessor Jeffrey Prang’s office said that $1.7 billion in funds were collected for Los Angeles County in 2019. She thanked everyone for being here.

She presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials, the World Journal and members of BIDAC in honor of this celebration.

Alhambra School Boardmember Bob Gin has lived in Monterey Park for the last 60 years. He is happy to educate the youth of Monterey Park.

He presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials and the World Journal in honor of this celebration.

Garvey School Boardmember Henry Lo wished the audience a Happy New Year! We are proud of our students. He has always enjoyed the city’s branding. This is the Year of the Rat, the first year in a 12-year cycle. He thanked all of the guests for attending this special event.

He presented proclamations to the Monterey Park elected officials, BIDAC and the World Journal in honor of this celebration.

Hans Liang and Catherine Yu thanked all the sponsors.

Luke Grossmann from the United States Post Office said this is the third cycle of the Lunar New Year stamps. The first cycle was in 1996. The second cycle was in 2008. This is the third cycle in 2020. 20% of the world’s population will be celebrating the New Year with family and friends. He wished everyone Good Fortune in the New Year!

Luke Grossmann and all of the elected officials unveiled the Year of the Rat stamp.

All of the elected officials cut the Red Ribbon to open the New Year celebration.

The Lions Dancers danced to the beat of the drums and accepted Red Envelopes from the elected officials.

Elisa Gibbons sang several Chinese songs to the delight of the crowd.

Rainbow Art located at 260 East Garvey Avenue was opened to display the beautiful art created by their students. For more information on their classes please call 626-573-2332.

Booths had a collection of colorful flowers and plants, clocks, gramophones, gifts and more.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library had a booth manned by John Huang, Darren Braden, Jasmyn Trang and Eric Tran. They passed out information on the library services to the public.

Monterey Park employees Daniel and George were handing out reusable water bottles from the Water Department to the many guests.

The Greater Chamber of Commerce had a booth with a young musician playing a Chinese instrument. They passed out information on their services to the business community.

The West Valley Boys and Girls Club had an information booth to provide information on their services to the young people of the community.

Monterey Park Police Department let children of all ages seat on their bike.

A man played music on a Chinese instrument to the enjoyment of the many hundreds of guests enjoying the Lunar New Year celebration.

Happy New Year to everyone!