QUEENS, NY – With the arrival of the Lunar New Year fast approaching, Borough President Melinda Katz today announced she will again host a Lunar New Year Celebration & Photo Contest to ring in the upcoming “Year of the Pig,” with the winning photos from the contest being displayed during the celebration on February 27, 2019 at Queens Borough Hall.

“Lunar New Year is a time to honor important traditions and to celebrate with family and friends as we envision what the future holds for us,” Borough President KATZ said. “It is my pleasure to host our annual Lunar New Year celebration, which will include the announcement of the winners of this year’s Lunar New Year photo contest. A picture is worth a thousand words, and everyone is encouraged to participate in the photo contest and join us at our celebration on February 27. May everyone celebrating Lunar New Year have a happy and safe time.”

This year’s photo contest invites the public to submit photos under the theme “NEW YEAR AND ME.” Each entrant’s photo must be submitted along with a completed online entry form by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019. Contest winners will be notified of their wins by email on February 19, 2019. Contest rules and an entry form are available online at: www.queensbp.org/2019lny.

The contest winners will be announced during Borough President Katz’s Lunar New Year celebration on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.

The February 27 celebration 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 Asian Americans for Equality, Bank of China, the Chinese-American Planning Council, East West Bank, the Flushing Chinese Business Association, the Forest Hills Asian Association, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Resorts World Casino New York City, SinoVision and The Korean Channel.

“Lunar New Year in Queens is a joyous celebration of our diverse and dynamic community,” THOMAS YU and JENNIFER SUN, co-executive directors of Asian Americans for Equality said. “We would like to thank Borough President Melinda Katz for her steadfast support of Queens’ Asian American communities. AAFE is honored to be a co-sponsor the Borough President’s upcoming Lunar New Year celebration and photo contest.”

“Bank of China Queens Branch is proud to be a sponsor of this Lunar New Year photo contest celebrating Asian culture, tradition and community unity,”  Bank of China Queens Branch Manager RUISONG ZHAO said.

“The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is honored to celebrate Lunar New Year in Queens with the Queens Borough President and all our Queens neighbors,” MITCHEL WU, Director of Queens Community Services for the CPC said. “We are proud to celebrate our culture and contribute to the beautiful mosaic of diversity that is Queens.  We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year of the pig!”

“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 Pig by entering into the photo contest.”

“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 Pig,” FHAA President EDWIN WONG said. “We wish everyone good fortune and good health throughout the year!”

“The staff and members of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York wish all members of the community and their families a happy and wonderful Lunar New Year – the Year of the Golden Pig!,” LINDA LEE, Executive Director of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York said. “We hope that everyone continues to find good fortune and blessings in the New Year!”

“We are proud to support this wonderful event to celebrate Asian culture during the Lunar New Year,” MICHELLE STODDART, Director of Public Relations and Community Development at Resorts World Casino New York City said. “The photo contest is an exciting way for the entire community to learn about the Chinese New Year and share in a rich cultural experience.”

“It is a great honor for SinoVision to co-sponsor Queens Borough President’s Lunar New Year Photo Contest again,” a SinoVision spokesperson said. “We believe it makes Asian American tradition and culture more visible.”

“We are excited to co-sponsor the Queens Borough President’s Lunar New Year Photo Contest once again this year,” SAM SANG KI HAN, CEO of The Korean Channel said. “May the Year of the Pig bring great success to our amazing borough of Queens.”

Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Celebrations of Lunar New Year traditionally take place over 15 days.

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