Downtown Denville will recognize the Lunar New Year with a grand celebration, lion dance performance and pet-parade on February 9, 2020 (1pm-3:30pm) sponsored by Hunan Taste, NJ’s #1 Chinese Restaurant. For the third year in a row, one of Morris County’s best downtown’s will be holding various activities to ring in Lunar New Year. The “Year of the Rat” will arrive in style with costumed mouse characters, a giant inflatable maze, decorations throughout town, festive music, ice sculpting, pet pictures, traditional eastern activities and more. The yearly pet parade, welcoming socially acclimated pets, begins at 2:15pm starting along Broadway at First Ave and culminating in Hunan Taste’s parking lot on Bloomfield ave. Traditional Lion Dancers will lead the parade and then perform in the parking lot immediately after the parade commences followed by proclamations and other traditional chinese activities. “We are so excited to highlight our Lunar New Year traditions outside our newly renovated restaurant” commented Amy Hsiung from Hunan Taste, the event sponsor.
The event is a great opportunity for the downtown’s stores and shops. “This is our 3rd year doing this annual event and it’s been a great draw to Downtown Denville during the winter months” says Ryan Gleason, Executive Director of the downtown business district. A popular Lunar New Year custom, red envelopes, will be handed out during the event that will have small prizes,specials and coupons for Downtown Denville shops and eateries enclosed. Owner of The Urban Muse Spa, Kristin Pamperin, who is also a co-chair of the event stated: “This a great opportunity to recognize the eastern culture, celebrate pets and highlight our stores, services and restaurants”
Community causes are often integral to the Downtown Denville’s shopping events and this year the celebration and parade will raise awareness and donations for Eleventh Hour Rescue and the Denville Animal Shelter. “We’ll have several tables and demonstrations to highlight and accept financial donations for Eleventh Hour” noted Ashley Cook, owner of Viva La Pet and additional co-chair of the celebration. There will also be a station for visitors to drop off donations for Denville’s Animal Shelter such as cat beds, cat food, kitty litter, bleach, paper towels, pet supplies and more. Many other vendor tables and participating stores will also have other promotions related to Lunar New Year and animal causes.
