Crowds gathered in anticipation for the upcoming Chinese New Year Parade in the streets of Fresno’s Chinatown. Booths representing dozens of different companies and communities lined Fresno’s “F” Street. The Year of the Monkey parade had begun.

The holiday of Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon day of the first lunar month. Each year, an animal is picked following the recurring 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. The Year of the Monkey is the 9th animal on the cycle.

Each year Fresno celebrates Chinese New Year with a parade. This year’s festival arrived on March 5.

I arrived at the festival at 10 a.m., only to learn the parade starts at noon. Streets were beginning to be blocked off, for floats and a safe walkway for visitors. Upon entering I found dozens of lowrider bikes in a neat row, and booths scattered around “F” street. I soon found myself searching through the booths and discovering new businesses, and foods.

I first began talking to Maria Santara, a worker for the Community Regional Medical Center for stroke care. Santara spoke about the FAST signs. As well as explaining the stroke, and it’s prevention.

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On another booth, one could buy a Year of the Monkey t-shirt for $15, with a design on the front and back. The shirts came in both white and black.

After searching through dozens of kiosks I discovered the Central California Nikkei Foundation, where I meet Mitsuo Kobayashi, a Tokyo, Japan, native. Kobayashi handed me a pamphlet explaining that the Nikkei Foundation is a, “California non profit corporation created to serve the social, cultural, education, economic, and health needs of the Japanese-American community of Central California”

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Crossing over from the business booths to the food section, I found tons of items ranging from, Chinese to American. Venders were selling boba’s, potstickers, chicken kebobs, chow mien, sticky rice and BBQ. I purchased a combo meal for $3, which offered a small plate of chow mien, and two potstickers.

Across the street from the booths, lay an announcer with a microphone and a couple of large speakers. He announced the happenings of the day, as well as the floats, and the company they represent.

Hundreds of people had gathered around F street to watch the parade, and participate in the activities. It was quite astonishing to see Fresno’s rundown Chinatown lit up with people.

Once the parade had kicked off, one of the first floats to come down the street was a fire truck. Out of all the floats, I found the Chinese ones to be the most fascinating. A man with the height of about 5’6″ walked through the parade, with a monkey mask, and Chinese fans.

One of my favorite floats was the Coca Cola one. The Coca Cola polar bear pranced around in a red sweater, while a Coca Cola truck trailed him. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company mascot, also appeared, which happens to be a helmet with arms and legs.

The extensive amount of floats was an amazing sight to see whether it be Chinese floats or one of the many company’s that sponsor Fresno’s Chinatown. The substantial range and variety gave me a diverse experience, which cannot be replicated.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the festival, both the booths and the parade. I discovered new companies, that I had not heard of before, and was able to view wonderfully crafted floats. In all, though the walls of Fresno’s Chinatown are crumbling, I still enjoyed the event and the history behind it, and the future it represents.

For more on Chinese New Year, please read: Chinese New Year broadens cultural perspectives, diversity, Hidden underground tunnels inform, engage community, or Junior discusses origins, customs of Chinese New Year.

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