Lunar New Year event Jan. 25 in Wooster
The Lunar New Year will be celebrated at Local Roots Market and Cafe in Wooster on Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Each year community members gather at Local Roots Market and Cafe in Wooster to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and this year it will be on Jan. 25. Previously celebrated as Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is observed in many Asian countries with the first new moon of the lunar calendar.
Long-time Local Roots member and volunteer Fong Wong has helped organize the event for the past several years.
“We really wanted to change the focus from Chinese New Year to Lunar New Year to let people know that many cultures throughout Asia celebrate this event. We hope to highlight traditions from different countries as well,” Wong said.
Main events will happen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jim Bonk, professor of Chinese and East Asian studies at The College of Wooster, will open the event with a brief history of the celebration and storytelling. The talk will wrap up a tea toast, led by Natalie Friedrich, local tea blender. Lunch will be served by Wong, Sue Min Lee and Umami Bites, working together to curate a variety of options representing different Asian cuisines.
Activities for children and families will be in the back room of Local Roots and will include calligraphy, origami and clay projects. There will be a large map of Asia posted for people to mark where they are from or have traveled. At noon children can participate in the traditional Dragon Dance Parade throughout the market. Visitors also can write good-luck messages for red envelopes and embark on a zodiac animal scavenger hunt.
Local Roots Market and Cafe is located at 140 S. Walnut St. in Wooster. The market is open six days a week and offers lunch daily and breakfast on Saturdays.