(Video:  Wen Jingping/ People's Daily)

Lunar New Year celebration kicked off in Alhambra, California on Saturday as hundreds of thousands of people gathered to enjoy the street festival with Asian foods, crafts and traditonal Chinese performances.  

On the stages, there were all-day entertainment with lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, and other ethnic performances. The God of Fortune was on hand to give away traditional Chinese red envelopes to bring good luck to the excited people in attendance.

Other featured activities, such as a dragon boat rowing station, an auto square, children’s workshops, a health fair and cultural demonstrations were also arranged to provide festival-goers with a taste of the Asian culture. 

Participants were allowed to visit a dog-adoption area amid the Year of the Dog. 

Young and old alike enjoyed the exposure to Asian culture and strengthening of community ties this event affords. 

Celebrating Lunar New Year Festival is a local tradition for 27 years in western Carlifornia's Alhambra. It marks the city’s nationally recognized Asian fare.