IN WITH A BANG! L.A.'S CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES CELEBRATE FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Byline: Chrys Wu Correspondent

For millions of Chinese around the world, the Lunar New Year is a time to gather with family and friends. For more than 100,000 Angelenos, it's a time to take to the streets. Chinatown's two-day Lunar New Year festival happens this weekend along New High and Spring streets (at Ord), where people gather to eat, play and connect with one of the oldest communities in the area.

An opening ceremony and tai chi demonstration kick things off Saturday, when more than 500 Chinatown residents will practice the graceful exercise that has kept young and old mentally focused and physically limber.

For those looking for more high-energy activity, this year's expanded festival will include carnival games, eating contests, inflatable obstacle courses, lion dancers, live entertainment and of course, the 107th Golden Dragon Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday.

``It's fun!'' says Chinatown resident and photographer Cindy Bennett. ``It's not as big as the Rose Bowl - it's really accessible.'' She adds that the convenience of the Metro Gold Line helps draw more people to the festivities each year.

In fact, this year's parade - which organizers say is the second oldest in the city after the Rose Parade - is expected to draw more than 110,000 spectators. It includes more than 50 floats, bands, dragons, lion dancers, Miss L.A. Chinatown and her court, and grand marshal Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The two-day festival will also include a Children's Pavilion, where youngsters can make crafts, including paper lanterns, Chinese fans and paper cut art. The festival will feature two stages: a cultural stage with traditional dance and music, and a main stage where the audience can enjoy local pop, rock and hip-hop acts.

In addition, there will be demonstrations of how to cook traditional New Year's foods such as dumplings (for wealth), noodles (for longevity) and a wrapped sticky rice (for good luck); import and classic car shows, where entrants can compete for trophies and cash prizes; and new this year, a film showcase offering short features by local filmmakers.

Sports enthusiasts won't be left out either. There will be a three-on-three basketball tournament as well as soccer goals, basketball hoops and a climbing wall.

And since Feb. 5 is also Super Bowl Sunday, fans can watch the game on big-screen TVs in a beer garden at the festival grounds. All the shops and restaurants will remain open throughout the weekend, so attendees can pop in and out for food and souvenirs.

For many Angelenos, including parade chairman Michael Gin, coming to Chinatown during New Year is a way to get in touch with their roots. ``I was born in Chinatown and grew up in Pasadena,'' Gin says. ``As a child, I remember my mother taking me back into Chinatown to watch the parade and all the different festivities growing up.

``As I kind of assimilated in Pasadena, I lost my Chinese roots and culture, and it wasn't until recently that I thought it would be a good idea to come back to Chinatown and learn about my cultural background again,'' he adds.

Legend has it that the lunar calendar was created by the emperor Huang Di 4704 years ago. Chinese New Year usually falls on the second new moon following the winter solstice. Each year of a 12-year cycle has an animal associated with it, and this year is the Year of the Dog, which began Sunday.

In the week leading up to New Year's Day, people clean house, pay back debts, buy new clothes and get their hair cut, all to ward off the previous year's evil spirits and ensure good luck in the coming year. On New Year's Eve, family members gather at the oldest person's house to feast on foods that represent good omens. The dishes vary by family and by region, though most will eat noodles, dumplings, chicken and black moss seaweed as symbols of long life and wealth. On New Year's Day, children pay respects to their elders and receive a red envelope filled with lucky money in return.

Jeri Floyd, president of Families With Children From China/Southern California, a support organization for parents who adopt children from China, says that the city's festival and parade are central to bonding with the culture's rich traditions.

``Being the most important cultural event on the calendar, we thought it was important to take part in and attend,'' Floyd says. ``This helps (families) make the connection.''

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, box, map

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) DRAGON DAYS

L.A. community festival welcomes Year of the Dog in a big way

Associated Press

(2 -- color) The Golden Dragon Parade - one of the oldest in the county - will start at 2 p.m. Saturday in Chinatown. The weekend celebration ushers in 4704, the Year of the Dog.

(3 -- 5 -- color) no caption (Golden Dragon Parade)

Box:

Year of the Dog 4704

Source: Chinatown Business Improvement District and Daily News research

Map:

107th Annual Golden Dragon Parade

Warren Huskey/Staff Artist