2024 is "The Year of the Dragon": Mai Wah Society to Host Annual Chinese New Year Parade in Butte

The Mai Wah Society will once again host Butte America's annual Chinese New Year Parade, which has been described as the shortest, loudest, and (sometimes) coldest parade in Montana. Celebrating the "Year of the Dragon," the parade will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024. It will start at the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse (155 W Granite) at 3 PM.

Following opening remarks, the parade will head east on Granite Street with the dragon stopping along the route to bless business sponsors. Those in attendance are encouraged to follow the dragon and become part of the procession. The Butte High History Club will serve as dragon dancers again this year. Following the parade, a reception with refreshments will be held at the Mai Wah Museum (17 W Mercury Street).

In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence.

First Friday to Focus on Montana's Chinese: Mai Wah Board Member Mark Johnson had his book The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky published in 2022. He will be speaking at the library on Feb. 2, 2024, at noon as part of the First Friday lecture series. Johnson will talk about Montana's historic Chinese communities. For more about his book and upcoming speaking engagements, please see his website.

Take-and-Make Dancing Dragon Craft Bags Available: The Butte-Silver Bow Public Library is also offering a craft opportunity for families. It will provide take-and-make-craft bags that families can take home and make a dancing dragon. For more info, contact the library at (406) 723-3361.

The Mai Wah Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established for educational, charitable, and scientific purposes, including research and public education about the history, culture, and conditions of Asian people in the Rocky Mountain West. Learn more at https://www.maiwah.org.