2016 Year Of Monkey Celebrations

In the Year of the Monkey anything is possible. It is a year marked by confidence, intelligence, optimism, agility and social interaction that is mischievous, curious and witty.

This year’s Light up Newcastle Lantern Walk celebration of Chinese New Year had all these hallmarks. The event was bigger, better and more fun for everyone. It was a glorious sunny day for a walk and a balmy evening to enjoy the Chinese food, entertainment and to buy a cheeky little monkey or a glowing red lantern.

Sixteen Hunter Rotary Clubs and the Hunter Rotaract Club once again took up the challenge to transform the Honeysuckle Precinct into a mini Chinatown. Newcastle’s marching bands, the Newcastle School of Performing Arts and Marching Koalas, led the walkers from Nobbys and Wickham who entered Chinatown via golden arches protected by smiling lions.

The promenade and buildings were awash of red lanterns and the 20m long golden Chinese Dragon was a focal attraction for photographs…

Read more in Edition 80 of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine.

Story Maree Gleeson, Past President, Rotary Club of Newcastle and Event Director.  Photography Elena Gan.