Chinatown Celebrates Chinese New Year (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 01/23/2012 4:30 pm Updated: 01/23/2012 4:38 pm

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Despite the dreary weather, plenty of New Yorkers gathered in Chinatown on Monday to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with firecrackers, traditional dancers, and a festive march downtown.

The annual event brings together Asian Americans, local politicians, and community members all hoping to receive a bit of good luck for the coming year.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was one of the many officials present and she promised to commit more work to creating jobs for the city, "I know the Year of the Dragon will be a year of prosperity for all."

Missed the celebration? Pack in the boon tonight with some great Chinese recipes that are also said to bring good fortune.

Check out some photos from the event below and Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year Celebrated In New York City's Chinatown
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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 23: A man places traditional decorations in a tree during Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown on January 23, 2012 in New York City. Celebrations began in New York with the firecracker detonation to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. The annual fireworks in Chinatown is attended by local politicians and community leaders and is intended to ward off evil spirits. Asian-American singers, dancers and dozens of lion, dragon and unicorn dance troupes participate in the day long event which includes marches through the streets of Chinatown. Millions of ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans around the world are ringing in the new year with fireworks, feasting on traditional foods and family reunions. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Despite the dreary weather, plenty of New Yorkers gathered in Chinatown on Monday to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with firecrackers, traditional dancers, and a festive march downtown. The annu...
Despite the dreary weather, plenty of New Yorkers gathered in Chinatown on Monday to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with firecrackers, traditional dancers, and a festive march downtown. The annu...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
myplenny
49 Fans
10:36 AM on 01/26/2012
Ne malo hy
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
myplenny
49 Fans
10:35 AM on 01/26/2012
Needs to stop.
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rikster
buy the ticket-take the ride
244 Fans
08:31 PM on 01/23/2012
happy new year....to all the dragons...
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NYC07
Ceci n'est pas un micro-bio
1103 Fans
06:39 PM on 01/23/2012
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MikeyJaii
Socialism.
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05:20 PM on 01/23/2012
Ugh! This year it's ruined by the rain!
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