Welcome the Year of the Bull at the Triangle’s largest Chinese New Year Festival on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 9:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds, Exposition Center in Raleigh. The event is open to the public and will include entertainment on two stages, a talent competition open to audience members, food for sampling and sale, interactive exhibits for all ages, and arts and crafts.  Come enjoy two dancing Chinese lions, a swirling dragon, cultural dancers in colorful costumes, Japanese Taiko drumming, Korean fan dance, crowd pleasers like the Bouncing Bulldogs jumprope team, and Durham Bulls mascot "Wool E. Bull."  Six hundred performers and volunteers bring this festival to life for more than 5000 attendees.   

There will also a Gourmet Street of snacks and meals from all regions of China for sampling and sale.   Children will enjoy activity stations including the BeActiveNC van, Chinese yo-yo lessons, New Year tattoos, and more.  Adults can learn Chinese cooking and floral arrangement. 

The first 200 paying attendees to arrive will be entered into a raffle for prizes.      

 General admission to the Festival is $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Children 6 and under enter for free.  Tickets, the performance schedule, and history of Chinese New Year are available online through www.nctacas.org.  phone 919-625-1207