Over 10,000 expected at Lunar New Year parade in New York

NEW YORK -- Over 10,000 spectators are expected to flood the Flushing Chinatown, one of the largest and fastest-growing ethnic Chinese enclaves in New York City (NYC), to watch the colorful Lunar New Year parade on Saturday.

It is the biggest event celebrating the Year of the Dog in the bustling neighborhood of NYC's Queens borough, where roughly two-thirds of the residents are from Asia.

The annual hour-long event features floats, dancing and traditional Chinese celebrations. Food is also a huge part of the festivities, with dumplings, spring rolls, rice cakes and fish topping the list.

John Choe, director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce (FCC), which organizes the parade every year, said their last count for the parade was around 10,000.

"It grows every year. We definitely expect to have more this year," Choe said.

The parade will be broadcast live on SinoVision, a US-based Chinese language TV network.

The FCC has been organizing the Lunar New Year parade for more than 20 years alongside the Flushing Chinese Business Association and the Korean American Association in Queens.