Lansdowne Centre scales back Lunar New Year celebrations during pandemic
Posted February 12, 2021 12:10 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Celebrating Lunar New Year will have to be done without large parties and gatherings.
Typically, Lansdowne Centre hosts a big party today, but aside from decorations, there isn’t much else to mark the Year of the Ox.
Bronwyn Bailey, who speaks for Lansdowne Centre, says the Lunar New Year festival the mall held in 2020 was the last event before lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year, we’ve, of course, pivoted and we’re doing a socially distanced contest,” she says.
Bailey explains the mall is adorned with beautiful decor offering great photo opportunities, but there won’t be any gathering events.
“For the most part, we’re seeing crowds shopping for groceries. I think a lot of celebrating is going to be happening at home,” she adds.
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There also won’t be a Lunar New Year parade in Vancouver this year.
If it’s safe to do so next year, Bailey hopes Lunar New Year can be celebrated like it was before the pandemic.
“It’ll be interesting to see how our consumer confidence and behaviour returns. I anticipate it will be a gradual return, so we’ll all be playing it by ear.”
The Year of the Ox was last celebrated in 2009.
-with files from Paul James
