The Five Loonies Festival at Heritage Park brought Calgarians together to welcome in the Lunar New Year in a colourful and family-friendly environment.
The event featured activities such as visiting and taking pictures with horses, enjoying all-day five-dollar dumplings at the Selkirk restaurant, and special musical performances.
Lanterns and festive decorations were hung all around the plaza, and visitors were able to purchase their own lucky lanterns for five dollars inside of Harvey’s Confectionery.
Five Loonies, also known as the Five Gold Coins, is rooted in traditional meaning, signifying community, restoration and good fortune.
The “Year of the Horse” is also of cultural importance, and in the Chinese Zodiac represents energy, rapid growth, and change. This relates to the “Fire Horse,” which is associated with “bold new beginnings.”
The Lunar Festival is a time where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate connection, symbolism and tradition, while also welcoming in a new year and a fresh start.
Video: Calgary Journal reporter Aubree Quapp shares the sights and sounds of Calgary’s Five Loonies Festival