On Saturday, Jan. 21, NDSU’s Asian Student Organization hosted their second annual Lunar New Year event. The Lunar New Year event celebrates the coming of spring and the new year based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. The event is important to many different ethnic groups’ long standing traditions celebrating with family and friends. This year’s Lunar New Year welcomes the year of the rabbit, based on the 12 Chinese Zodiac system that runs on a cycle. 

The student-led event celebrated the culture surrounding the Lunar New Year by incorporating various foods, entertainment, and decorations. Szechuan fish, bean curd in chili sauce, and mapo tofu are only a few of the many various traditional foods that were present. The color red was the primary color of decorations as it symbolizes happiness, success, and good fortune. 

The entertainment involved a lion dance, traditional Chinese and Nepali dances, a live jazz band, and K-Pop cover dances.The organization was especially surprised by the amazing performances and talent that was shared that evening. 

When asked about the event turnout the ASO replied, “The event turnout was beyond what we imagined. We planned for about 200 people and estimated that the attendance surpassed 350 people.” That is almost twice the amount of last year’s event which was 180 people.

The organization expressed their pride in their hard work to fundraise, coordinate, and compose the entire evening. They also added their immense gratitude towards those that helped them make the event possible. “There are so many people we would like to thank as they are the reason we were able to put on this event. Our business sponsors, Asian Student Organization members, performers, volunteers and guests all helped us create this celebration.”