Gung Hay Fat Choy! Celebrate The Lunar New Year In Uptown on Saturday, February 1st

The annual Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration is a decades-old Uptown tradition celebrating the start of the new Lunar Year.  Join us as we kick off the YEAR OF THE RAT with music, colorful lion dances, live entertainment, and our community parade which will start at Argyle & Winthrop at 1pm sharp. Join 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, Uptown United, and the Argyle business community for this special event

The parade leaves Argyle and Wnthrop at 1pm and travels Sheridan, Ainslie and Broadway, before returning to Winthrop and Argyle, where special programming will take place beginning at 1:45pm.

There will be family-friend pop-ups beginning at noon:

• Latin School of Chicago, 3rd Space (4956 N. Sheridan) – corner of Sheridan and Argyle
  Noon to 4pm
  The Latin School Community Space welcomes you to drop in for a fun-filled day of art workshops and family-friendly Lunar New Year fun.
• Chicago Public Library, Bezazian Branch, 1226 W Ainslie (near intersection of Broadway/Ainslie)
  Noon to 12:45pm
  Year of the Rat story time and crafts!
• Axis Lab, 1120 W. Argyle St.
  Noon to 4pm
  Axis Lab will be hosting a pop-up event featuring an interactive art and food station curated by Hai Minh Nguyen & Giau Minh Truong. Come hang out, explore, and ring in the new year!

Check out Uptown United's page for all the info, including restaurants and shops in the area that will be open and ready for customers!

What does it mean to be born in the Year of the Rat?

Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Rat include 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008. According to the Chinese New Year website, "Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life." You can read more here.