BRIDGEWATER CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR

Bridgewater Township together with the Bridgewater Chinese American Association (BCAA) organized a celebration of Lunar New Year at the Bridgewater Senior Center on Feburary 5. The purpose was to share the festival spirit and cultural activities of the traditional holiday, which is celebrated by the Chinese as well as many other Asian ethnic groups.

Over 300 residents from the Bridgewater community attended the event. Congressman Tom Kean, local elected officials, State Senator Doug Steinhardt, Assemblyman Erik Peterson attended the event.  Bridgewater Township leadership including Mayor Mathew Moench, Council President Michael Kirsh and Council Vice President Tim Ring attended the event and delivered remarks to the attendees.

On behalf of the Bridgewater Chinese community, BCAA president Henry Wang welcomed everyone and introduced the meaning of the holiday. Wang remarked, “On this day, families will get together, to celebrate the new year, and celebrate unity, as the full moon symbolize. Here in Bridgewater, the Chinese community are very happy to call Bridgewater home, and contribute in our best effort to the broader community and society. Today we come together, with the greater Bridgewater community, celebrate unity and solidarity. We look forward to a bright future together.”

The event featured cultural performances and exhibit. Traditional lion dance, folk songs and folk dance were performed by children and members of the community, hoeing their skills with King’s Academy of Dance Art, Huaxia Chinese School and Zhang Guifang Taichi Club. The exhibit showcased brush pen calligraphy and seal carving, which has been practiced for 2000 years.