QUEENS, NY – As Queens prepares to celebrate Lunar New Year, Borough President Melinda Katz will again host a Lunar New Year Celebration & Photo Contest at Queens Borough Hall to ring in the upcoming Year of the Dog. This year’s Photo Contest invites the public to submit photos under the theme, “What Lunar New Year Means to Me”.

“On behalf of 2.3 million Queens residents, I wish everyone a healthy, safe and happy Lunar New Year,” Borough President KATZ said. “It is my pleasure to once again host Lunar New Year at Borough Hall, this time with some distinguished partners from Queens. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the photo contest, and join us on March 6 at the celebration.”

Each entrant’s photo must be submitted along with a completed online entry form by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Contest winners will be notified of their wins by email on February 26, 2018. Contest rules and entry form are available online at: www.queensbp.org/lnyphotocontest.

The contest winners will be announced and the winning entries will be on display at Borough President Katz’s Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The event is free and open to the public. Space will be limited, so those who wish to attend should RSVP by visiting www.queensbp.org/rsvp or calling 718.286.2661.

This year’s celebration and photo contest are co-sponsored by the Flushing Chinese Business Association, the Forest Hills Asian Association, Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc., Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, East West Bank, Resorts World Casino New York City, SinoVision and The Korean Channel.

“The Lunar New Year celebration and parade has become a grand celebration of the community in common, with emphasis on multicultural harmony and the economic value of the region,” PETER TU, Executive Director of the Flushing Chinese Business Association said.

“The Forest Hills Asian Association looks forward to joining everyone in celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Dog,” FHAA President EDWIN WONG said. “We wish everyone good fortune and good health throughout the year!”

“FFAI joins the Chinese and Korean communities in celebration of the Lunar Year,” AIDA BARTOLOME, President of the Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc. said. “There are no boundaries in celebrating this tradition and heritage.”

“The celebration of the Lunar New Year is great way to share and understand the cultures of the Asian American communities of Queens,” CHRISTINE COLLIGAN, co-president of the Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York said. “Lunar New Year is an especially important opportunity to help our children learn about different cultures and understand that the people of the world share a common desire for health, happiness and prosperity.”

“Through the advocacy of many leaders in our community, we are proud that Lunar New Year is now a holiday that is celebrated city-wide,” LINDA LEE, Executive Director of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York said. “With the largest Asian immigrant community living in Queens, this day celebrates the diversity of our borough and the contributions our communities have made throughout New York City.”

“East West Bank is excited to be a part of this year’s Lunar New Year Photo Contest hosted by Borough President Melinda Katz,” an East West Bank spokesperson said. “Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays in many Asian countries and we invite the public to celebrate the Year of the Dog by entering into the photo contest.”

“Resorts World Casino New York City is proud to share in the celebration of Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dog,” MICHELLE STODDART, Director of Public Relations and Community Development at Resorts World Casino New York City said. “We look forward to the artistry this photo exhibit will expose in capturing this significant cultural experience.”

“It is a great honor for SinoVision to co-sponsor Queens Borough President’s Lunar New Year Photo Contest,” a SinoVision spokesperson said. “We believe it is a great platform to record and celebrate Asian American holiday traditions and culture.”

“We are honored and excited to be a part of this year’s Lunar New Year Photo Contest hosted by Borough President Melinda Katz,” SAM SANG KI HAN, CEO of The Korean Channel said. “We encourage all of our community members to participate and join us in celebrating Asia’s biggest holiday.”

Lunar New Year begins on February 16, 2018. Celebrations of Lunar New Year traditionally take place over 15 days.

Follow Borough President Katz via @melindakatz or www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz

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