As we enter the season when winter shows little pity for our doldrums, and just when we can’t stomach another day of gray, February creeps in with hints of spring. That’s when the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, or SOCCA, comes to our rescue with the perfect anecdote—a colorful festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. It’s an opportune time to come together, begin anew, and welcome the first of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac; for 2020 is the Year of the Rat.

Chinese New Year normally falls on the second new moon after winter solstice, which makes the official day vary from year to year. This year’s official date is January 25th, but the day-long Jacksonville celebration will happen two weeks later on Saturday, February 8 beginning with a parade down California Street at 10:00am. The parade is sponsored by the Confucius Classroom of St. Mary’s High School. Jacksonville is most fortunate to welcome a return visit from the 61-foot-long “The Mighty One,” a most impressive dragon with personality plus. Be on the lookout for lions and other dragons in the street. These lively dancing creatures are performed by local students who trained at SOCCA’s Lion and Dragon Dance Clinic under the tutelage of Master Wally Chow of the Portland-based Northwest Dragon & Lion Dance Association. Students participating in this year’s Lion and Dragon Dance will have the opportunity to show off their newly-acquired drumming skills and dragon moves. The Clinic was made possible by a generous Small Arts and Cultural Grant awarded by the Oregon Community Foundation.

The parade will be followed throughout the day by a number of entertaining presentations, including a cooking demonstration of Zao Shen’s Sweet and Spicy Ahi Poke by Truffle Pig Craft Kitchen at the Bella Union Restauratnt and the main program presenting magician, Calvin Kai Ku’s “Lunar Illusions” at the Bigham Knoll Ballroom.

Though rats generally suffer a less-than-welcome response, in Chinese culture, rats represent new beginnings. They’re embraced as symbols of wealth and surplus, as they’re diligent and hard-working animals. This year’s rat element of the five cyclical earth elements, is metal, or gold. We haven’t celebrated the Year of the Golden Rat since 1960.

More than 20% of the world celebrates Chinese New Year, and the City of Jacksonville takes pride in hosting an enthusiastic gathering of celebrants. SOCCA’s website expresses their purpose since its inception in 2006 this way: “Our mission is to sponsor educational and cultural events in Southern Oregon that showcase Chinese culture and traditions.” SOCCA’s festival is informative, incorporating ways to learn and appreciate more about the Chinese culture, particularly relevant for Jacksonville, since Chinese immigrants performed a vital part of its early mining and railroad history.

The festival offers much more beyond the parade. Children’s activities include two dragon jump houses, the craft of lantern building, and face painting. Live presentations and exhibitions involve Tai Chi at the Community Center, a history talk, “Gold Mines to Woodland Trails” at Old City Hall, and brush calligraphy at Elan Gallery. Visit the SOCCA website at www.soccachinesenewyear.org for times and locations. A few events require small admission fees. Discover something happening around every corner of the city, while learning about a creative and vibrant culture.

For additional information about the history and strong family aspect of Chinese New Year, visit www.chinahighlights.com.

We look forward once again to seeing Jacksonville’s streets overflowing with merriment, ready to eclipse the blahs and usher in a year of health, providence, and community spirit!

See SOCCA CNY 2020 schedule at https://www.soccachinesenewyear.org/

Photo courtesy of SOCCA.