Queens’ MarketPlace came alive on Friday, February 3, from 5 – 8 pm, as the Year of the Rooster was celebrated during the annual Asian Fest. The free event is a unique and popular way to experience and enjoy the music, cuisine, and customs of China, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, and other Asian cultures.
According to the Chinese zodiac, a Rooster year is supposedly full of patience and passion, bravery, some bravado, and hard work to reach success. Its motto is, “Always higher, always going on,” appropriate for Queens’ MarketPlace, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Festivities included great food, nonstop entertainment, and a spectacular Lion Dance. A centuries-old tradition, the colorful Chinese Lion Dancers performed acrobatic feats and leaps, interacted with the audience and paraded through Queens’ MarketPlace from door to door. Participants young and old “fed” the Lion small donations in red envelopes called lycee to bring good fortune in the year ahead.
On the culinary front, a number of Waikoloa restaurants provided tasty food samples, including Lava Lava Beach Club, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Charley’s Thai Cuisine, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, Lemongrass Express, A-Bay’s Island Grill, Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, Marble Slab, Daylight Mind Waikoloa, Tropics Ale House, Sushi Shiono, Island Gourmet Markets, Starbucks, Dairy Queen, Waikoloa Beach Marriott/Tokyo Marriott, Sansei Seafood, Stea, & Sushi Bar, and Mai Grille.