Chinese New Year sights and sounds

An eggroll is placed into oil, sizzling and crackling as it quickly turns golden brown. A tambourine jingles in the hands of a young dancer, accenting the flash of her bright orange and yellow costume as she turns. A whip cracks in the air, the mighty sound only outdone in intensity by the look of determination on the man cracking the whip.

Wind whips through the accoutrement on vendors’ tables, rattling plastic beads and paper signs advertising deals in broken English, while the distinct smell of Spam carries on the breeze. Children are squealing with delight and parents are holding their breaths anxiously as a petite woman bends her leg backwards, over her head, all the while balancing a candelabrum on her foot.

These are some of the sounds you can hear at any given moment of the 16th Annual Chinese New Year celebration, held by the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce on February 21 at Chinatown Plaza. Below, find images of this all-day event, which brought an estimated 5,000 participants throughout the day to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures in the heart of Las Vegas’ Asian community.