It is the Year of the Snake and New Rochelle children celebrated the New Year Tuesday by cutting and coloring paper dragons and lanterns.
The craft workshop for children in pre-kindergarten through grade five was part of the BID Family Days Go Global at the New Rochelle Public Library.
This program was made possible by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in conjunction with the New Rochelle Public Library, the New Rochelle City School District, the city Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of NRPL.
Chinese New Year traditions include feasting, making red paper signs and lanterns and setting off fireworks. In the Chinese culture, the color red symbolizes good luck.
The meeting room in the library was completely packed with kids and their parents or babysitters. The library staff had to even tell some eager kids wanting to join in on the crafts to wait until the room becomes less full.
Martin Morua of Manhattan was just as involved in the crafts as his daughter Melissa.
“It’s the year of the snake and we are coloring dragons,” he said. “But I guess dragons are more symbolic of Chinese culture.”
The snake is the sixth position on the Chinese Zodiac cycle. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be good decision makers, sympathetic and romantic. On the other hand, they can be judgmental, competitive and stubborn.
Brooke Lanser had no hesitation in showing off her completed dragon to her friends and family.
“As soon as I get home, I am going to show daddy my dragon and hang it up in my room,” she said.
This event is one of the many Family Days events that the New Rochelle Public Library provides for local families.
Barbara Davis, community relations coordinator for the library, said the events are being tied in with the yearlong 325th Anniversary of the city to recognize the diversity within New Rochelle.
“This year we are celebrating many cultures that make up New Rochelle’s diverse culture,” she said.
For Morua, the library is the place to be.
“The New Rochelle Public Library is hands down the best when it comes to extra curricular activities and events for kids,” he said.
