Goong Hay Fat Choy - GoJu Ryu in Chinatown!

On Sunday, February 13, 2005, over 100,000 excited parade-watchers lined Pender, Keefer and Gore streets in Vancouver’s Chinatown to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rooster during what has become a landmark event. The weather co-operated with no rain and sunny periods.

Different ethnic cultures participated in the festivity, dancing and marching to the sound of the drums lead by the many colorful dancing Lions. Shopkeepers string garlands of firecrackers and lucky envelopes from their overhangs and burn sticks of incense to patiently await the Lion, as it danced, performing the ceremonial taking of the offerings and in return giving blessings of prosperity and good luck to the businesses.

Among the many paraders and martial artists, GoJu Ryu Kuyukai members lead by Sensei George Chan joins Chin Wing Chun Tong in ringing in the New Year . The overflowing crowd cheered loudly as the karatekas marched by with their banners and colorful flags. The spirit of karate was felt by the onlookers as the team shouted out their kai’s, performing their katas, kobudo (weapons) with precision and confidence. The parade ended with greetings from Dignatories as well as a closing kata for Premier Gordon Campbell, Mayor Larry Campbell and MLA Patrick Wong, who also handed out lucky red envelopes containing good wishes.

See article in Karate BC Newsletter, March.

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