On Sat., Feb. 9 and Sun., Feb. 10, the
Fair Oaks Mall, located in Fairfax County, Virginia, held its 10th annual Lunar New Year Festival.
Upon arrival at the mall, visitors immediately notice the shopping center was decorated in celebration of the New Year. Numerous lanterns were hung from the ceiling and trees throughout the mall, and a large dragon suspended from the ceiling in the mall's center court.
The 2-day event featured performances of Chinese dragon dances, music, martial arts, a variety of cultural traditional dances, multicultural displays and more. Additionally, there were crafts for the children and a special lantern festival as part of the weekend lineup.
Performers from many countries presented shows and exhibitions to celebrate this Year of the Snake. China, Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Tahiti and the 50th state of Hawaii were all represented in this weekend's celebration.
Digital Journal attended Sunday's event, which began at 1 p.m. At this time many visitors to the mall gathered around the mall's center court to watch the show.
The celebration in photos:
The celebration begins as the dragon comes out as a large crowd looks on.
This 10th annual Lunar New Year Festival at the Fair Oaks Mall was produced with the Washington Hai Hua Community Center, a nonprofit organization established in 1989 that serves as a bridge between new immigrants and American society. State Farm Insurance and Long & Foster Real Estate sponsored the event.