As we celebrate the lunar new year, the Year of the Dragon, SOCCA board members are excited about sharing our celebration in person at Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville, OR.
We will update this page with exhibitors and presentation information, so check back often and follow us on Facebook for announcements about the event.
This celebration will showcase multiple Asian cultures that honor the Lunar New Year. Come and celebrate with us!
Enjoy a prosperous and happy new year.
A celebration of the Lunar New Year, “Year of the Dragon”, will be held at the Britt Pavilion on February 17, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. The Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association had, for over 15 years, presented a Chinese New Year Celebration in Jacksonville. This year, the festival has been expanded to include several other Asian cultures that honor the Lunar New Year tradition.
Under the watchful eye of “the Mighty One”, SOCCA’s 70-ft long dragon, a team of lions and junior dragons will kick off the day. Performers and exhibitors representing Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and China will offer a wide array of programming, ranging from a variety of handcrafts, martial arts, Tai Chi practice, Taiko drumming, and a Chinese historical fashion show. Children will love the dragon jump house. They will also have the chance to get their face painted, play with puppets, do some calligraphy, origami, learn the geography of Asia, and listen to Asian stories and folklores. It will be a day full of fun, family-friendly, and inspiring programs. Free trolley transportation service will be available.
This event is being offered to the public free of charge, thanks to the following generous sponsors: The International Program at St. Mary’s School, U.S. Bank, the Oregon Community Foundation, Britt Festival, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Review, and Up Close with Peter Sage.
This year’s celebration is hosted at the Britt Pavilion. There is trolley service and lots of parking options.
11:00AM
TAI CHI: LEARN and DO
Carolyn Wolf
Jacksonville Community Center
12:00PM
KARATE KIDS
Ashland Karate Academy students
2:20PM
TAI CHI: LEARN and DO
Carolyn Wolf
Jacksonville Community Center
10:15AM
LION DANCE GREETING CEREMONY
St. Mary’s School International Program/SOCCA Lion Dance Troupe Coached by Alexey Wang
11:00AM
MARTIAL ARTS
Blade and Fist Martial Arts/Jon Merripen
12:30PM
CHINESE HISTORICAL FASHION SHOW
Kathy Greene
Halau Hula O Nuku ‘Āina/SOCCA
1:30PM
TAIKO DRUMMING PERFORMANCE
Elbow Room Taiko Drummers/SOJA
10:30AM Booth #17
IKEBANA – JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGING ART
Cathy Cooper
Jacksonville Community Center
12:30PM Booth #17
IKEBANA – JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGING ART
Cathy Cooper
Jacksonville Community Center
10:30AM to 2:45PM on the quarterly hour Booth #3 (Red Umbrella)
TEA CEREMONY
Jim and Hatsuko Koike
Southern Oregon Japanese Association
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
Information Center*
“The Mighty One” exhibit (70-ft long dragon on display) Dragons and zodiac animals walk-about
Dragon Jump House
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
“Tales in Taste” Chinese pastry arts live demonstration by Austra Wang
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Japanese Association (SOJA)
Japanese Tea Ceremony live demonstrations on the quarterly hour
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Japanese Association (SOJA)
Japanese Arts and Crafts: Origami and puppet making
Organization/Presenter: One Sunny Day Initiative
Oregon Peace Tree Project and peace-related book offerings
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
Children’s Activities – story telling, face painting, calligraphy, arts and crafts, lantern making, and games.
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
Fortune telling and music by Kris Yenney
Organization/Presenter: St. Mary’s School International Program (SMS)
Asian Traditional Clothes Try-on and Photo Booth
Feather Hacky Sack Kicking and Chopstick Picking Competition Chinese Name Writing
Chinese New Year Crafting
Organization/Presenter: SOU Archeology Lab (SOULA) and So. Or. Historical Society (SOHS)
Learn local Chinese history through archeology. Decorate your own bowl using Four Season Flower pattern. SOHS panel display of local Chinese history.
Organization/Presenter: Jacksonville Community Center
Ikebana/Japanese flower arranging live demonstrations by Cathy Cooper Children’s Activities – Dragon Puppet Making
Organization/Presenter: Rogue Bonsai
Japanese Bonsai and Chinese PengJing tree display by Vicki Chamberlain
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
Chinese Historical Costume Photo Booth
Organization/Presenter: Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA)
“Mug Shot Ping Pong Toss” game. Donate $1.00 to get 8 chances to win a Chinese New Year retro mug.
Organization/Presenter: Jacksonville Applegate Rotary
Rotary Asian connections, geography & Dolly Parton Imagination Library signup
Organization/Presenter: Jackson County Library Services
Lunar New Year books and library card signup
Organization/Presenter: SOCCA Store
Lunar New Year and Asian merchandise for sale
Smoking, alcohol, or any drugs are strictly prohibited on event premises.
Submit one form for each exhibit or presentation.
SOCCA will confirm, by phone or email, your/your group’s participation. If you do not hear from SOCCA , email info2023.socca@gmail.com to check on the status of your application.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, this event will be free of charge to both the exhibitors/presenters and the public: THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL, U.S. BANK, BRITT FESTIVAL, JACKSONVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, JACKSONVILLE REVIEW, and UP CLOSE WITH PETER SAGE.