Chinese New Year in Des Moines

Festival kicks off Year of the Pig
The children stared wide-eyed as a Chinese lion danced across the stage. It blinked its giant eyes and opened its massive mouth.

They laughed when the lion, operated by two dancers, "ate" a head of lettuce and then spat the leaves into the crowd.

The lion, along with a colorful lineup of dancers, martial artists, harpists and other performers headlined Saturday's Chinese New Year celebration at Northview Middle School and Ankeny High School in Ankeny.

The event, sponsored by the Chinese Association of Iowa, included performances as well as arts and crafts, a Year of the Pig poster contest, tea ceremony demonstrations and children's games. An evening program included an awards ceremony and traditional Chinese dance, music and theater. Chinese food was served by Ankeny restaurants China Moon and Jade Garden.