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Celebrate the year of the Rooster at Bella Vista Farm

The Hills is gearing up for its biggest and most thrilling Lunar New Year celebration with specially crafted Asian themed food experiences, a program of exciting cultural performances and educational experiences to welcome in the Year of the Rooster. 

Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to attend the annual festival on Sunday, January 29 at its new location – Bella Vista Farm. 

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Councillor Yvonne Keane said the event has developed into a renowned NSW celebration of Chinese culture within north-west Sydney.

“It is a family-friendly event that really showcases the diversity and uniqueness of our vibrant community,” Mayor Keane said.

“The distinct nature of our amazing Shire and the location of the event makes it unlike anywhere else,” Mayor Keane added.

The Sydney Hills Lunar Festival celebrates more than just a calendar event, acting also as an acknowledgement of the rich Chinese heritage in the region.

“Bella Vista Farm was one of the first farming enterprises in The Hills to hire Chinese migrants during the 1860s,” Mayor Keane said.  

“According to the diary of Edward Henry Pearce, who inherited the historic farm in 1865, there were 30 employees who were of Chinese descent and worked on maintaining the 2,500 hectare citrus farm including the vegetable garden.

“Bella Vista was also the chosen site for the local Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese descendants from across the district would come together and celebrate the calendar favourite event. The main attraction of the festival was a fireworks display which was believed to have warded off bad spirits,” Mayor Keane added.

On the day, attendees will be immersed in Chinese culture with traditional performances, displays and ancient Lunar New Year rituals including the God of Fortune handing out red envelopes.

Audiences, both young and old, will be astounded when the dragon, lion and fan dances perform their upbeat and educational sets.

Children will be delighted by the colourful atmosphere of the festival as well as craft, face-painting, balloon twisting, pop-up library and rides designed to keep them entertained throughout the day.

Food is sorted with some of Sydney’s most popular food trucks onsite to satisfy all hungry customers.

Plus, the festival will feature fruit carving activities, street performers and stilt walkers.

The festivities kick off at noon and run all the way through to 9pm where they will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.

Entry is free and parking is available onsite.  

For further information, please visit, www.sydneyhillsevents.com.au, and search the words “Lunar Festival”.

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