Ottawa’s Chinatown came alive this weekend as the community rings in the Lunar New Year with its annual parade along Somerset Street West, celebrating the Year of the Horse. The celebrations took over the stretch of road between Bronson Avenue and Bell Street from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, drawing families, visitors, and local businesses together for one of the capital’s most vibrant cultural traditions. Organized by the Ottawa Chinatown Business Improvement Area, the parade features high-energy lion and dragon dances, drumming performances and a colourful procession meant to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Yukang Li, executive director of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area, says the event provides an economic boost to the area. “The businesses will be extremely happy today because the foot traffic to Chinatown and not only today, I mean, current community events like this will bring people to Chinatown,” he said. “They come today and they will come back in the future, which means business for the local business community.” Today’s event, Li says, even drew in crowds from outside the city. “I have received emails and calls from folks outside Ottawa saying that to, to drive to this event,” Li said. “Chinatown has established ourselves as a multicultural destination in Ottawa.” This year marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The horse is traditionally associated with energy, strength, and independence. It symbolizes ambition and forward momentum, traits many hope to carry into the new year. “Each year is marked with the zodiac animal sign, and this year is the Year of the Horse and that symbolizes energy, good luck and success,” Li said. The event was free and open to the public, and organizers encouraged residents to line the streets and take part in the festivities.
