This Saturday, January 29, the Chinatown-International District celebrates the 2011 Lunar New Year – the year of the Rabbit!  This celebration is the most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar and brings thousands of families together to participate in authentic cultural activities featuring calligraphy drawing, Chinese yo-yo and games and activities throughout the district.  Meanwhile, at noon,  more than a thousand people will make like polar bears and plunge into the cold water at Alki Beach – they’ll be “Freezin’for a Reason” – raising funds to benefit the Special Olympics of Washington.  Also on Saturday, the doors will swing wide open to the public at City Hall, where not only will there be tours behind the scenes, but also food, music and more. The Mayor will highlight his plans for an Engage Seattle initiative.  For more details about the events, please see the following schedule.

Saturday, January 29
Chinatown/ID Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Rabbit: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hing Hay Park – Maynard Avenue S and S King Street
5,000 expected
Streets closed 8 a.m.  – 6 p.m.:   S. King St. between Fifth Avenue S and Maynard Ave. S
Plan on heavy traffic on the streets surrounding Hing Hay Park.

City Hall Open House:  11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fifth Avenue and Cherry Street
500 expected
Traffic may be more congested along Fifth Avenue between Cherry and James streets as mobile food vendors will be staged along the west curb lane of Fifth Avenue adjacent to City Hall

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Washington – “Freezin’for a Reason”:  12:00 Noon
Alki Beach – Registration at 9 a.m. at 2701 Alki Avenue
1,250 participants
Expect traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Beach and Alki Beach Bathhouse.

Contact:  Peg Nielsen , Communications, 206.684.8114