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People
started to enter the festival ground around 9:00 AM, browsing through
the Gourmet Street, Craft Market, and Village Square before gathering
at the main stage area. The TACAS Gold Dragon opened up the main
stage show around 10:00 AM and performed a beautiful routine. As
the audiences was still admiring the gorgeous dragon, the Durham Bull
mascot appeared on the stage symbolizing the arriving of the year of
the "Bull". TACAS president Yih-Shin Tan welcomed the audience
with "Gong Xi Fa Cai" or "Happy new Year", and introduced
Postmaster John Thomson, who unveiled the Stamps of Ox on stage.
This kicked off seven hours of continuous performance for the Chinese
New year celebration with singing, dancing, music, and folk performing
art like Taiko, Yo-Yo, Jumping rope, Kung-Fu, Tai-Chi, etc.
Bunny Burnes, the festival Golden Dragon
sponsor of the State Farm, was
on stage around 11:30 AM and drew 30 door prizes for the first 200 festival
goers: 10 pairs of Durham Bull game tickets, 10 free flower
corsage workshop seats, and 10 festival T-shirts. Various
exhibitors who also provided free give-aways like Chinese New Year
Banners, Lunar Calendars, bookmarks and pens, and small American
Airline logo items.
The Joy
Recorder Ensemble group played beautiful music by the festival
entrance. People felt the welcoming and festive atmosphere right
away after they stepped into the lobby. The group played 16
well-known folk songs at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. The
audiences were greeted with fond memories and unforgettable melodies.
Food was
unique attraction this year. TACAS members and families prepared
a variety of authentic regional Chinese food, mostly on family recipes,
with very reasonable price that ranges from $1, $2, $3, $4, and $5 and
up. These include Beef soup Noodles, Curry Beef, Salt &
Pepper chicken, assorted Egg and Spring Rolls, Sticky Rice Chicken,
Combo dishes, Rice noodles, Sushi, Dim-Sum, Chinese style North
Carolinian BBQ Beef Brisket and pork Shoulder, Steamed Buns, Vegetarian
Dishes, etc. The deserts include Green Tea Ice Cream, Pearl Red
Bean Soup, Bubble Tea, Fruit Cups, Egg Tarts, Cup cakes, Fruit cups,
etc. There were also assorted beverages, Chinese bakery, candies,
and cookies.
There were
over 30 sponsor and exhibitor
booths from various cultural, economical, tourism, educational,
professional, art, community service, religious, entertainment, and
industrial organizations. Over 15 craft shops provided a variety
of shopping selections. The CNYF themed T-shirts were the favorite of
many, so were the gift shops, studio, and Chinese Painting &
Calligraphy booths.
Three
local artists drew quite a crowd in
the kids activity land: Lisa Yu of Paint Savvy provided face
painting, portrait artist Joseph Park provided portrait painting, and
caricature cartoonist Richard Cloudt provided cartoon
characteristic-like portrait painting.
34 contestants in 24 group
and 3 auditions
participated in the talent competition show, performing from singing,
dancing, Kung-fu, Karate Kata, Martial Arts Routine to Violin.
The
performance for the final 6 on stage was breath taking. Lily Wang
emerged as the final winner.
About 600
volunteers and performers supported this event. The Corporate
sponsors are State Farm, Delta, Giant, Grand Asia, TECO, Instant
Imprints, and the Media sponsor is News and Observer.
Event
Coordinator: Yih-Shin Tan, TACAS President
Festival
Committee Chair: Theresa Boudreaus, TACAS Art Center Director
Festival
Committee Co-Chair: Shin Wu, TACAS Art Center
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Time:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 