Eastwood’s Lunar New Year celebrations grows with night markets

Eastwood’s Lunar New Year celebrations will become a daylong event and more entertainment will be added at next month’s festivities.

Lunar New Year

Eastwood’s Lunar New Year celebrations will become a daylong event and more entertainment will be added at next month’s festivities.

People will be encouraged to stay into the night of February 20, to welcome the Year of the Monkey, as celebrations are followed by night markets.

The markets, which are being held each Saturday night until May, include food, fashion and toy stalls.

Organising committee chair Hugh Lee said a second stage of cultural performances would also be introduced.

The event was growing from strength to strength, Mr Lee said.

Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale expected the monkey mascot would be popular with children.

“I really like the mascot this year,” Cr Laxale said.

“The goat (last year) was a bit placid, and the monkey brings a lot of excitement.

“I’m sure kids will like getting their photo with the monkey.”

Co-organiser, Cr Justin Li, explained the attributes of those born in this year of the Chinese zodiac calendar.

“People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be witty, smart and mischievous,” Cr Li said.

This applies to those born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, and 2004.

In its eighth year, Eastwood’s celebrations will start on February 13, with the annual cooking competition at 11am.

Seven days later, the main celebrations will start in the plaza at 10.45am.

These will include cultural performances, such as lion dancing and fire crackers.

Table tennis will also be introduced at this year’s celebrations.