Chinese New Year visitor numbers revealed
BIRMINGHAM’S Chinese New Year celebrations last Sunday attracted more than 30,000 visitors, it has been revealed.
Revellers gathered in the Southside area of the city centre – which include’s the city’s Chinatown – to welcome in the Year of the Monkey.
The newly released visitor number confirm these were city’s biggest ever Chinese New Year celebrations.
The event saw traditional Chinese music, acrobats and martial artists, amongst others, aperforming on the main stage in The Arcadian, as well as a lion procession in Birmingham’s Grand Central shopping area.
The festivities then spilled out into the surrounding streets at Hurst Street and Inge Street, which was filled with street food vendors and traditional market stalls. Southside also hosted craft workshops where children made special Year of the Monkey masks, and a fairground was in place for those of all ages to enjoy.
James Wong, chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said: “This year’s event was the most successful Chinese New Year we’ve ever had. A record number of people came to celebrate and our social media went into overdrive.
“We were also delighted to have live streamed the event for the first time this year, allowing those from all over the world to join in on the festivities and making it a truly family-friendly affair.”
Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said: “The 2016 event brought thousands of new and returning visitors to Southside’s Chinatown. Despite the fact that the festival lost it’s funding from Birmingham City Council, the entire community came together to raise much needed funds.
“We were truly touched by the support of our sponsors, market traders, street food vendors and visitors, and the success of this year’s event is a true testament to the community spirit in Southside.”
