Butte’s Chinese New Year Parade is Coming
Described as the shortest, loudest, and coldest parade in Montana, the annual Chinese New Year Parade is set to make its mark in Butte on Saturday, January 28th! The Mai Wah Society has been hosting this event for many years and is excited to continue the tradition with the Year of the Rabbit as the focus. The parade route begins at 3 pm in front of the Butte-Silverbow Courthouse (155 W. Granite) and will head east on Granite. The Butte High History Club has their work cut out for them as they will once again serve as dragon dancers during the Chinese New Year Parade in Uptown Butte. This is a hands-on event, so bystanders are encouraged to follow the dragon throughout the parade. If you'd rather sit back and observe the parade, that is highly encouraged, too. The Mai Wah Society (17 W. Mercury) will also host a reception following the parade.
Plus, you can get even more involved with parade festivities by way of the Butte Public Library. The week of January 23rd, families can pick up lantern craft bags at the library to make at home. That way, anyone interested can create exuberant lanterns before the colorful Chinese New Year Parade on January 28th. For more details, call (406) 723-3361. Also in the works is a speaking engagement by Mai Wah Board Member Mark Johnson, who will discuss his novel, The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky. Johnson's book examines the history of the Chinese New Year Parade in Montana. Johnson will be at the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena (120 S Last Chance Gulch) on January 23rd and at Isle of Books in Butte (43 E Broadway) on January 27th. The book focuses on Montana's tie to Chinese New Year Parades and more.