Macclesfield will once again be celebrating its historical silk links with China with a free Chinese New Year parade and celebration this Saturday 25th January 2020, from 11:30am until 2pm.
It’s fantastic to see Macclesfield celebrate Chinese New Year. It has become a new annual event in the town diary, organised by Macclesfield Town Council. Last year hundreds of people lined the streets to follow the parade and joined the celebrations at the United Reformed Church at Park Green.
There will be lots of selfie opportunities with the Dragon, Ruby the Rat and Silky the Pig (pictured below) from last year’s celebrations. All the fantastic models have been created by Macclesfield Community Artspace.
Tytherington School Mandarin Choir will be starting the celebrations with a performance in Market Place at 11:30am. The parade will start shortly afterwards, making its way through Macclesfield Town Centre from Market Square down Mill Street to the United Reformed Church at Park Green.
The celebrations will continue where you will have a chance to taste authentic Chinese food, view shadow puppets created at local schools and care homes as well as enjoying Chinese craft activities, calligraphy, tea tasting, music and more!
You might find it interesting to know 2020 is the year of the Rat (there are 12 years in the Chinese New Year cycle), the Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.
People born in the year of rat (2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936) are generally born with the zodiac rat characteristics. They are believed to be very industrious and thrifty, diligent and positive!
Helena Gowler, Community Engagement Officer for Macclesfield Town Council commented that:
“When we first held the event to celebrate the Year of the Pig in 2019, we were overwhelmed with just how many people came out to celebrate. We are delighted to present this event again to celebrate the Year of the Rat. Visitors to the United Reformed Church will journey through the building to experience different aspects of Chinese celebrations.”