Record Attendance at 30th Annual Alhambra LNY Festival Last Month

The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival marked its 30th anniversary in grand style on Sunday, February 18, drawing an estimated crowd of over 10,000. Despite initial weather forecasts of potential rain, the skies remained clear throughout the day, undoubtedly contributing to the festival's unprecedented success. Festival staff and participants were delighted to see folks from around the SGV and even further gather in droves by the event’s start at 9 am. Three blocks of Main Street were blocked off to traffic for the festivities, and at times throughout the day-long street festival, the sea of attendees filled the entire area.

Dozens of booths offered a little bit of everything — there were games, free health screenings, hot food, informational opportunities, raffles, handmade goods for sale, and more, all side by side. Media coverage included ABC7 and LAist, who each also had their own booths where festival goers could pick up swag, take pictures, and enjoy other activities. Also, several food trucks and businesses on Main Street were open for business, many with long lines of eager customers.

Taylor Weik, a first-time festival goer who lives in Pasadena, said about her ALNY experience, “I was pleasantly surprised to see just how many vendors there were, from food stalls to small business owners to local organizations. I don’t come to Alhambra often, so it was nice to walk around and explore the area even after the festival ended.”

Local elected officials, including Judy Chu, Sasha Renée Pérez, Jeff Maloney, Mike Fong, and María Elena Durazo spoke and gave well wishes for the new year. Festival sponsors, including Daniel Lin of New Century Autos and the owners of the new SkyZone, also took the stage to express their support for the community and its vibrant LNY traditions.

The festival's Main Stage served as a focal point for entertainment, featuring captivating performances by local tal- ents of all ages. Performances featured AUSD, Vez Guitar Academy, Asian Arts Talent's Foundation, and a dance battle hosted by DABA. There was also a lion dance and a dragon dance that paraded around the stage and festival grounds. Christopher T. Balmaseda, President of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, expertly emceed the main stage, keeping the energy high throughout the day.

As the festivities drew to a close, many vendors found themselves overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from visitors, with several reporting sold-out merchandise and early closures. Starting the Year of the Dragon with so much good luck certainly does seem auspicious!