Maidenhead High Street will be transformed in the coming days to mark the start of the Lunar New Year. The hanging red lanterns (which symbolise warmth, happiness, and good fortune) are being installed by Lamps and Tubes Illuminations and have been made possible with thanks to the European Regional Development (ERDF) ‘Welcome Back’ Fund. ERDF funding supports the safe return to high streets and helps build back better from the pandemic. The Welcome Back Fund has already supported the Don't Let Your Guard Down campaign, Hello Lamp Post, improvements to the Visit Windsor website and digital reach and Christmas events and promotions in the Borough since the award was made in March 2020. Funding comes to an end in March 2022.
Cllr David Coppinger, Lead member for Planning, Environmental Services, and Maidenhead, says: ‘We’re fortunate in the Royal Borough to have people from diverse cultures that mark the Lunar New Year, and these colourful activities give our whole community the chance to celebrate together while supporting our recovery. I wish everyone a very happy Lunar New Year and look forward to the celebrations.”
Lunar New Year celebrations kick off in style on Saturday 5 February with the return of the much-loved Lion Dance Parade.
Established in Maidenhead in 1997, performers from the Eagle Claw Kung Fu School UK have teamed up with the Royal Borough via Make Maidenhead to bring this spectacular event back to the town centre after being placed on hold during the pandemic.
The traditional Lion Dance, Kung Fu performance and thunder drumming, producing an exciting display of colour and rhythm, will start at 1pm from the Boy and the Boat statue on the High Street.
The celebrations continue later in February with a Lunar New Year-inspired free craft activity hosted by Explore Learning Maidenhead, taking place in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre. On Saturday 26 February, Maidenhead High Street will host a speciality food market celebrating the nations who mark the Lunar New Year – it promises to be a delicious mix of hot food, snacks, treats and drinks, and it is one not to miss!
Robyn Bunyan, Maidenhead town manager, says: “The Lunar New Year celebrations in Maidenhead are not to be missed. This year, with the addition of the town centre decorations, craft and food market there should be a great buzz in the town! – make sure you are keeping up to date with events on our social media pages.’ Instagram @MakeMaidenhead Facebook /MakeMaidenhead
Maidenhead’s Lunar New Year celebrations are funded by the European Regional Development Welcome Back Fund