Green Acres Mall hosted a Lunar New Year celebration welcoming the community to mark the Year of the Fire Horse with an afternoon of cultural festivities in Center Court in front of Primark.
The event on Feb. 20 ran from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and featured activities, performances and promotional offerings throughout the day.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., guests received free samples of teriyaki chicken and California rolls from Quickway Japanese Hibachi. Attendees of all ages also participated in a free, all-day paper-flower craft activity led by the Traditional Cultural Reviving Center, creating paper flowers to take home.
The main celebration began at 3 p.m. with a red envelope giveaway inspired by the Lunar New Year tradition symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
Offers included 10 percent off a purchase of $20 or more at Granny’s Table Bakery; a Macy’s Beauty tote with a purchase of $200 or more at Macy’s; beauty perks from Clarins, Clinique, Dior, Estée Lauder, Lancôme and MAC Cosmetics with qualifying purchases; a buy-one-get-one-free chicken hibachi offer at Quickway Japanese Hibachi; 50 percent off select designer frames and frame and lens packages from $99 at Vistasite Eyecare; and a free standard topping throughout March at Kung Fu Tea.
In addition, guests participated in a fortune cookie giveaway, with half of the cookies designated as winners, each receiving a gift card.
The first 100 guests to visit the red envelope and fortune cookie table also received a free drink from Kung Fu Tea, one of the mall’s newest openings.
At 4 p.m., the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club performed a lion dance in Center Court. The organization, the oldest Chinese lion dance group in New York City and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving tradition, led a parade through the mall following the performance, stopping at select retailers. Guests were invited to return to Center Court around 4:45 to 5 p.m. for photos and to continue the celebration.
“Lunar New Year is such a joyful and energetic celebration, and we’re always excited to bring that spirit to Green Acres,” said Jill Bromberg, community relations manager at Green Acres. “Between the vibrant Lion Dance, festive parade, hands-on crafts and exciting red envelope and prize giveaways, the day is filled with fun surprises for families and friends to enjoy together.”
The afternoon brought community members together in Center Court to experience Lunar New Year traditions as Green Acres marked the holiday.