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Summer Guide 2017

See dragons and baby pandas up close at the NYS Chinese Lantern Festival

Courtesy of New York State Chinese Lantern Festival

Festival goers have the chance to experience the joys of Chinese culture including traditional dances, food, garments and decorations lighting up the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

More than 30 lantern displays light up the New York State Chinese Lantern Festival. Among the displays are baby pandas, a three-story Chinese palace pagoda and a 200-foot-long dragon.

Through June 24, patrons can indulge in Chinese culture every day of the week except for Mondays at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Experience ancient practices and traditions and check out Chinese acrobats, face changers and palm weaving, according to the festival website.

While the festival found its way into the United States within the past ten years it has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. Artisanal silk lanterns were passed down from generation to generation celebrating each spring. The festival represents prosperity and the coming of the new year. The first full moon of the new year corresponds with the “official light,” which calls for as many bright and colorful lights.

The festival gives participants the chance to learn about century-old Chinese symbols, dances, food, garments and lanterns. There are traditional Chinese dragons around every corner, and at night they light up the sky.

Tickets can be purchased at the festival’s website. Adults are $15, seniors are $13, kids are $12 and children under five are free. Group tours are also available.







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