CULTURAL diversity was embraced and celebrated in Kerang on Saturday at the inaugural Lunar New Year Festival.
Despite the Year of the Snake officially starting on January 29, it didn’t stop more than 650 people marking the occasion at Atkinson Park.
There was a plethora of food options and entertainers, ensuring the crowd tasted and witnessed other cultures.
From traditional dances to contemporary music, locals and visitors were captivated by the incredible talent and energy on display, many roving throughout the crowd.
It’s a symbol of the Lunar New Year, and is the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
Food vendors included Bisdak Lechon, from Shepparton, which provided traditional Filipino Lechon; suckling pig with crackling.
Vietnamese fare was provided by Otao Kitchen, featuring dumplings and spring rolls.
Indonesian cuisine was catered by Mallee Hot Bites, with menu items such as curry puffs, spring rolls, dim sims and chips.
Little Sangria served Spanish paella and churros, and Tiamo Wood Fired Pizza was a popular choice.
Performers included the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association of Victoria with lion dance and performance with traditional music, ending with fire crackers.
There was also Indian dance and an interactive workshop.
Aaron and Nita Hall, of Mugi Rahayu, engaged students from Kerang South Primary School and Kerang Primary School with Indonesian dance and tradition Gamelan music.
Melbourne-based Lotus artist group performed traditional Asian music and dance.
That Guy rounded out the evening with a performance of well-known songs.
Kerang Progress Association president Angela Teasdale said the event was “exceptionally” supported, with about 650 people in attendance.
“A local instigated this festival idea and brought it to Progress to consider,” Ms Teasdale said.
“She had all the contacts in Melbourne, because she previously had worked with a council that organises these huge events.
“She wanted to bring something to the country.”
Ms Teasdale said this was the first event of this type in Kerang.
“The society we live in now is very multicultural, so the inclusiveness aspect of that,” she said.
“We had people come from everywhere; Swan Hill, Filipinos came across from Pyramid Hill and a large group from Bacchus Marsh.”
“It was free entry event, so we pride ourselves on that, just so it does make it more inclusive for those that perhaps couldn’t afford to go to an event like that, and therefore the only monetary outlay for families would be food if they want to eat there.”
Kerang Holiday Park owner Dieu Nguyen, who is Vietnamese, said she brought the idea to town because she didn’t witness any multicultural events after moving to Kerang to purchase the tourist business.
“I thought that would be great for families here to experience something that people have in the city and have the privilege of experiencing,” she said.
“In the country, we don’t have that.
“I also know that there are a lot of ethnic people living in our area now, like Indians, Filipinos and Cambodians, and they would love to have that to remind them of their hometown and of the culture that they have left behind.
“There were a lot of ethic people who came through the park on Saturday and were warmly welcomed by the community.”
Ms Nguyen said it was “heartwarming” to see the smiles and engagement on the children’s faces after learning the dance of another culture.
She said Vietnamese people celebrated Lunar New Year for the whole month.
“It’s a celebration of trying to get a good energy.
“Some of the Vietnamese people came from Swan Hill, and they wore traditional Vietnamese costume, which is what they would wear in the New Year to go to a temple.
“The park wasn’t a temple, but at least they represented and wore what makes them feel like a special time.”
Ms Teasdale said the association hoped to make it an annual fixture on the event calendar.
