Text Size

Upcoming celebration of international diversity to be held in Squirrel Hill

This February, Jewish Family & Children’s Service is partnering with several Squirrel Hill organizations and the Chinese community of greater Pittsburgh to invite all Pittsburghers to a two week celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Organizers and partners of the Lunar New Year celebration and events include: Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Pittsburgh, Uncover Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, NextGen:Pgh, Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Carnegie Public Library, Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Chinese School, Confucius Institute at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center.

This year’s Lunar New Year is also known as the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public and will ring in the Lunar New Year with cultural performances, demonstrations in Asian arts and crafts, a parade and a taste of authentic flavors from Squirrel Hill’s acclaimed Asian restaurants and eateries.

“JF&CS is looking forward to being a partner in bringing Pittsburghers together to celebrate Squirrel Hill’s incredible international diversity,” said Jordan Golin, Chief Operating Officer at JF&CS. “Many people think of Squirrel Hill as the ‘Jewish neighborhood’ of Pittsburgh, but Squirrel Hill is also home to a growing and diverse Asian population, so it’s only fitting that we should come together to host this important and exciting cultural celebration.”

The event will be split up into two community celebrations:

  • Saturday, February 6th, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill (5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217); The celebration begins with the Lunar New Year Kick-off at the JCC. The afternoon will be filled with live performances by Pittsburgh Taiko Drumming, the Organization of Chinese Americans’ Cultural Youth Ensemble, Silk Elephant Thai Dragon, martial arts, dance, music, the crowd-favorite Steel Dragons acrobatic lion dancers and more. Earlier in the day, Steel Dragon lion performers will be visiting and “blessing” individual shops and restaurants in the Squirrel Hill business district.
  • Sunday, February 21st, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Murray Avenue; Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill will be closed from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. for the Lunar New Year Parade, starting at 11 a.m. Featuring stunning costumes, music, marching bands and traditional Chinese and Thai Dragons, the parade will begin at Philips Avenue and Murray, climbing up Murray toward Forbes to end at Darlington Street.

We look forward to celebrating the Lunar New Year with you! For more information, visit the Lunar New Year event on Facebook by clicking here.

Read Article