The Idaho State Museum will host an event to celebrate the Lunar New Year that includes family-friendly programming that honors traditions from across Asian cultures, according to a press release from the Idaho State Historical Society.
The celebration, which is held in conjunction with the Idaho Chinese Organization, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 21 at the museum, 610 Julia Davis Drive in Boise. It will feature music, performances from community organizations and local schools, hands-on activities and crafts, traditional tea service demonstrations, Chinese characters calligraphy workshops, and a special pop-up exhibit titled “Celebrating Lunar New Year.” The Sushi Bros food truck will be on-site during the festivities.
Idaho has a long history of Chinese and Asian immigration, as mining and other industries brought immigrants to the state beginning in the late 1860s.
“Many Chinese immigrants found community in ‘Chinatowns’ around the state, ” according to the press release. “These communities celebrated religious ceremonies and holidays, the most important being Chinese New Year. Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, the festivities are held before the first full moon in February.”
This event is included with museum admission. Go to history.idaho.gov/event/lny for information.