Celebrate the Chinese New Year at PdCHS
The Zhong Yi Kung Fu troupe, from Madison, will be the main performers during the PdCHS Chinese New Year celebration Jan. 4.
By Correne Martin
A few days after the American New Year, the Prairie du Chien High School Asia Society will celebrate the Chinese New Year. On Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., students and teachers will welcome the community for this semi-annual festival. There is no fee to attend, though Chinese cuisine will be available for purchase.
Fun-seekers of all ages can enjoy free activities and crafts, like ink blowing art, from 10:30 to 11:45, said PdC Chinese teacher Adam Stout.
Highlighting the day, from 12 to 2 p.m., will be a show featuring the acclaimed Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association, of Madison. This is the same troupe that has performed at past Chinese New Year celebrations. They are returning to present a cultural lion dance. The Guttenberg Karate Club will follow with a Tong Soo Do traditional combat karate performance.
Stout said his high school students have created a vibrantly-colored cloth dragon measuring over 15 feet long that they will be walking around the school.
On the menu will be dumplings/jiaozi, eggrolls, chicken lo mein, teriyaki chicken and veggies on rice, fortune cookies, soda and water.
“The students are doing most of the cooking,” Stout said. “That’s kind of everybody’s favorite thing to do, so it’s mostly seniors and some juniors doing that, but the rest of the high schoolers and some middle schoolers are helping with setup and decorating.”
A few high school Asia Society students who traveled to Hong Kong this past summer will also share their experiences for the captive audience.
Stout said the public is encouraged to show up wearing Chinese attire, with special praise given to anyone who attends as a panda bear.
Overall, the society hopes community members will find time to stop by the Chinese New Year celebration Saturday. This is a chance for the students to shine and showcase all their hard work.
“This is a big undertaking. The students pretty much do it all,” Stout explained. “It’s great event planning experience.”
Visit the high school to see the performances, taste the cuisine and take in some unique culture locally.
