L.A. celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year at farmers' market

A staff member demonstrates dumpling-making during a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 17, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

A grand Chinese Lunar New Year celebration was held at the Original Farmers Market downtown here on Sunday, attracting both many locals and tourists.

An artist draws a pig and writes in Chinese calligraphy during a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 17, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

The celebration kicked off with the unveiling of a steel handmade pig statue weighing 400 pounds (181 kg) in honor of this year's zodiac sign, and was followed by a kung fu demonstration, acrobatic performance, a magic show and a traditional lion and dragon dance.

A girl makes a Chinese lantern during a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 17, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

Themed craft activities such as lantern making and calligraphy attracted many locals.

"We are doing a new tradition. Three years in a row, we are celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year because Los Angeles is home to over 1.5 million Asian Americans," said David E. Ryu, council member of District Four of Los Angeles.

A boy has his face painted during a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 17, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

"Every year we've seen an increase in Chinese tourists," said Ilysha Buss, director of marketing for the

A staff member demonstrates dumpling-making during a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 17, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

Original Farmers Market. "We expect this year just to be as strong. We love being the melting pot where all kinds of cultures come together."