Chinese Lunar New Year Festivities Begin Today

The dragons will be dancing through the streets of Chinatown on Sunday for the official start of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger, but some early festivities begin today at noon in Sara D. Roosevelt Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lunar New Year Flower Festival.  Elected officials and guests (including The Lo-Down!) expected to be on hand: Comptroller John Liu, Councilmember Rosie Memdez, Councilmember Daniel Squadron, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and NeighborWorks America Northeast District Director Deborah Boatright.  Expect even more “higher-ups” for the annual Firecracker Ceremony and parade, beginning at noon, on Sunday in Columbus Park. Wondering about qualities of people born in the Year of the Tiger? Short-tempered, suspicious of others, bold and adventurous, sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love, have initiative and charm, have a tendency to be risk takers, act before they think about the consequences, make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers.