LOS ANGELES - Many Chinese Americans in many cities across the United States celebrate Chinese lunar new year with their elaborate dragon parades and festivities, but no city does it quite like Los Angeles.

San Francisco may own the distinction of holding the largest Chinese New Year parade and New York City may have shown off the longest dragon in the parade's history but the Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles is the longest standing lunar new year parade in the US history. This year will mark the 112th year that the parade will entice Los Angelenos with the dazzling dragon and lion dances along North Broadway in Los Angeles' Chinatown.

The Golden Dragon Parade will be held on Feb 5, two days after the Chinese lunar new year. First launched in 1898, it has been called by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 experiences "you simply cannot afford to miss" in Los Angeles.

The parade has also evolved and appeals to Angelenos of all ages and ethnicities.

"At the beginning, this parade is known only by the Chinese community here. Now, people outside the community not only know the parade but show huge interests in it. Of course we welcome that," said Chester Chong, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of LA. The chamber has been organizing the celebration since 1956.

More than 100,000 people took part in last year's parade and 20,000 more are expected to line up the streets this year.

The highlight is the dragon dance, which features a 120-foot long dragon that requires 25 men to bring it to life. The Double Dragon Dance, where two groups of dancers intertwine their dragons in intricate patterns, also never fails to amaze people.

Gorgeous and complex in design, these colorful dragons, made up of cloth and propped up by bamboo poles, move in precise patterns to the drums, cymbals and gong. The green on the dragon stands for an extraordinary harvest; yellow is for the solemn empire; prosperity is represented by gold or silver; red is excitement; and the dragon's scales and tail are shimmering silver that symbolize joy. It is hard to refrain yourself from feeling awed by the sight of weaving dragons along the route.

The traditional lions dance showcases the beauty of Chinese martial arts. With the performers mimicking the frolicking of lions, it is a favorite among children.

The parade also features almost two dozen floats, one of which will present the newly crowned Miss Los Angeles Chinatown waving to the crowd.

Over the years, celebrities have also participated in the Golden Dragon Parade.

"Not just celebrities in real world. We also had Mickey Mouse from Disneyland last year. And we will have Bugs Bunny in this year's parade," said Bob Jin, chairman of the parade's organizing committee.

The year 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese culture. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be articulate, talented and ambitious. The rotating cycle of 12 animals is a traditional method for naming the years in China. The other 11 animals are the rat, ox, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

China Daily