Chinatown celebrates the Year of the Monkey with spectacular Chinese New Year parade (PHOTO GALLERY)

chinatown chinese new year parade 2016
Volunteers perform the traditional lion dance, a regular feature at any major Chinese New Year celebration. (Jenny G. Zhang/MEDILL)

By Jenny G. Zhang

Hundreds of Chicagoans braved the cold and the snow to ring in the Year of the Monkey at the annual Chinese New Year parade in the heart of Chinatown on February 14.

Beginning at 1 p.m., 53 parade units – including eight marching bands and 18 colorful floats – followed the route along Wentworth Avenue between 24th Street and Cermak Road.

2016 marks the Chinese year 4714 and Chicago Chinatown’s 104th anniversary.

Photo at top: Volunteers perform the traditional lion dance, a regular feature at any major Chinese New Year celebration. (Jenny G. Zhang/MEDILL)