Footscray’s biggest street festival returns on Sunday to ring in the lunar new year.
The East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival, a celebration of Vietnamese and other Asian cultures, features a parade, lion dancing, live music, food stalls and carnival rides.
Thousands are expected to flock to Hopkins Street from 10am-10pm to welcome in the Year of the Rooster.
This year’s festival’s theme, “Back to Footscray”, encourages people to experience the suburb’s shopping, public art and food.
Festival co-ordinator Hai Pham said the event had grown from humble beginnings more than 20 years ago in to a massive multicultural celebration showcasing Footscray’s cultural diversity and harmony.
“We now have strong participation from other Asian communities such as Chinese, Thai, Cambodian and Philippines,” he said. “In the last couple of years, other ethnic groups, such as the African, community have also joined us for the celebration.”
The festival will open with a flag-flying performance and culminate in a fireworks finale.
Free parking will be provided at Footscray Market.
Details: www.festivalcity.com.au or www.faba.org.au
