On Sunday, Feb. 4, the Great Neck Chinese Association (GNCA) hosted its annual Lunar New Year Celebration at the Great Neck North High School auditorium.
“This is a community-wide event. With that being said, I mean all the performers are from Great Neck; all the directors and crew are from Great Neck; of course, all the volunteers are friends and neighbors,” said the GNCA. “With such a large number of people in this area, the Lunar New Year has become a more and more important cultural and social event every year. This year is the Year of Dragon, the most prestigious creature in Chinese culture. On this day, from seniors to small children, everyone is prepared to get involved in the gala. They have been practicing since September. Now the show is definitely a success.”
The GNCA organized incredible dance and musical performances to dazzle the crowd gathered to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
To show support for the event, members of Great Neck’s local government, the school board and the community attended the event. Great Neck School District Superintendent Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D. and the Great Neck Board of Education President Rebecca Sassouni, Vice President Grant Toch, Trustee Joanne Chan, Trustee Steve Chen and Trustee Donna Peirez created a video to thank the GNCA and wish everyone a happy Lunar New Year. Rabbi Howard Stecker and Rabbi Daniel Schweber from Temple Israel joined the event to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Christine Liu said, “Thank you Great Neck Chinese Association for putting on a fantastic Lunar New Year show every year. I want to thank everyone for your support and for making history with me as the first Asian American Councilmember in all of Long Island. It’s the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon represents power and confidence. So, I want to wish everyone a year filled with strength and success. And to our students, study and work hard and have the dragon spirit in you in all that you do. Be proud.”
New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti said, “Thank you Great Neck Chinese Association for inviting me and always hosting an incredible show. I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous and safe Year of the Dragon.”
Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip said, “I want to wish you all a happy Lunar New Year. As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, let us come together and share a wish for good fortune, good health and prosperity.”
To learn more about the Great Neck Chinese Association, visit gnca.org
