A roomful of people dressed in red watched a colorful dragon dance through the crowd as friends and family celebrated the Chinese New Year at the University of Scranton on Sunday.
People with ties to the Asian culture performed dances and karate, played instruments and enjoyed plenty of food and fellowship, all part of an effort to continue traditions passed down through generations. The nonprofit Scranton Chinese School, which began in 2010 and promotes language and cultural awareness, hosted the Chinese New Year's party for the third consecutive year.
The event helps connect him and others in the area with Chinese culture, while also making new friends and strengthening old friendships, said Yaodong Bi, Ph.D., a computer science professor at the university and a founder of the Scranton Chinese School.
"It's kind of like Christmas and Thanksgiving combined for us," said Dr. Bi. "It's the biggest holiday in Chinese culture."
Sunday was the 15th day of this year of the snake - one of the 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac - according to the Chinese calendar. It also was the final day of the New Year's celebration.
In a room on the fifth floor of the university's Brennan Hall, many of the nearly 100 people gathered to celebrate wore red clothes, meant to symbolize good luck.
While Asian natives attended the event, it also served as a helpful way for many area residents who adopted Chinese children to allow them to connect to their homeland's heritage.
Wearing United States and China lapel pins, Vince Klingler said he and his wife have brought their three Chinese daughters to the party each year in Scranton.
"We're building relationships and community," said Mr. Klingler, who plans to visit China during the summer with his children.
Contact the writer: rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter