BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts hosted the Chinese Club of Western New York's cultural fair on Saturday.
The event helped celebrate the Lunar New Year, and it showcased traditional Chinese culture through live performances, art, and dancing.
"We have a lot of great performances for Chinese new year, so yeah, in China that's the biggest festival," Beiying Liu, the president of the Chinese Club of Western New York, told 2 On Your Side on Saturday.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and this year for the first time, the Lunar New Year will be a holiday for public schools across state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation back in September, in recognition of New York's Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
"By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great," Hochul said back in September, when she signed the legislation.
"It is not just a day off from school. It is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions."
The governor joined the annual Lunar New Year parade Saturday in Queens.
"The Lunar New Year is a time of ritual, reflection and celebration as we welcome the Year of the Dragon across New York State," Hochul said. "I am proud to join the Asian American Pacific Islander communities in this joyous tradition and to recognize their extraordinary history and influence in our state."