The lunar new year, 4708, is going to open with a growl or a contented purr depending on a twitch of the whiskers; 2010 is the Year of the Tiger and the striped predator will replace the placid ox at the stroke of midnight on Feb. 13, 2010.
A symbol of strength and courage, the tiger ranks as the king of land beasts in China and his arrival is often viewed with caution. Festivities ushering in the top feline, “fu” as the big cat is called in Cantonese (“hu” in Mandarin), will include a Chinese New Year Flower Fair (Feb. 6-7), Miss Chinatown USA Pageant (Feb. 20), and the Chinatown Community Street Fair (Feb. 27-28). It's all built around a fantastic parade from Market and Second Streets to Columbus Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 27, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
