The Marysville Bok Kai Parade & Festival at 145 years old is the oldest continuous Chinese American cultural event in the history of this country, older than the Rose Parade. For generations, Chinese Americans from all over California and the West Coast would come to celebrate and participate in Bomb Day the next day. Bring your families for an exciting weekend of cultural events.
The Bok Kai Temple Museum will be open to worshippers and visitors, plus the Chinese School Museum and the Chinese American Museum of Northern California (CAMNC) will all be open. All events are free but donations are recommended to support the local temple and museums and their ongoing work.
Chinese American Pioneer Heritage Committee (CAPHC) and the Chinese American Museum of Northern California will also be hosting a number of tours, lectures, cultural talks, and programs throughout the weekend.
Registration is recommended! All events are FREE, but first come, first served. Seating is limited. Registered participants will receive Priority Seating.
REGISTER HERE
FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
SATURDAY MARCH 1:
10am: Tour of Bok Kai Temple and Temple Museum w/ David Lei. Meet at the Bok Kai Temple -- 1st & D St.
11am: Parade
After Parade Festival: Music, entertainment, children's performances -- 1st & C St.
10am - 10pm: Outdoor stage, live music & dancing @ The Woodbutcher -- 301 C St.
1 - 2pm: Museum Book Talk & Lecture Series featuring David Lei, Dr. Russell Low, and Prof. Echo Song @ CAMNC -- 303 1st St.
Please join the CAMNC as they inaugurate their new home in the historic Suey Sing Building.
2:15 - 3pm: Tea & Social @ CAMNC -- 303 1st St.
Please join for "tea and social" between programs to connect with other participants.
3 - 4:30pm: "Pioneer Chinese Families of Northern California" @ CAMNC -- 303 1st St.
13 historic Chinatowns will share stories of their pioneering families.
8pm: 3rd Annual Spectacular Fireworks -- Meet @ levee at 1st and C St.
SUNDAY MARCH 2:
9am - 4pm: Festival Program
- Rib cook off - 1st & C St.
- Car Show - C St. between 1st & 3rd St.
- Lion Dance & Martial Arts Demonstrations - 1st & C St.
- DJ Higher Power spinning tunes - 1st & C St.
10 - 11am: Lecture & Conversation on "Chinese Americans and Civil Rights" w/ David Lei and Anna Eng @ CAMNC -- 303 1st St.
This talk will look at the history of Chinese American participation in Civil Rights with discussion and Q&A on connections to contemporary public policy.
1:30 - 3:30pm: "What is the Cantonese Folk practice of Da Siu Yan 打小人?" - Lecture and ritual performance w/ David Lei @ CAMNC -- 303 1st St.
David will give a demonstration and explanation of this ancient Cantonese ceremonial ritual still widely practiced in Hong Kong, to rid oneself of pesky people, evil spirits, and bad omens. As David says, "Not sure how well this works, but you will surely release lots of anger and bring us back to psychological health." What does it mean to "beat petty people," to relieve karmic & social negative energy? As we learn about this ritual perhaps we will experience some communal catharsis. Ritual kits will be provided for $5 and we will demonstrate how to fill them out and perform this ritual together. Just be sure to bring an old shoe!
4pm: Annual Bomb Day Celebration - the firing of the bombs! -- 1st & C St.
