Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 10:35am

Chinese New Year celebrations

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Preparations for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Kilmarnock are already well under way.

A day of spectacular events is set to go off with a bang at midday on Sunday 21 February at The Cross. Guests will be able to welcome in the Year of the Tiger in spectacular style, with Chinese entertainment, firecrackers - and Scottish pipers!

After a formal opening by Provost Stephanie Young and Thomas Ho, Chairperson of the Chinese Association, firecrackers will be set off and a procession will make its way through the town, along Bank Street, Nelson Street, King Street, back to the Cross and up to the KULOC Centre in Portland Street.

Many will be in traditional Chinese costume and there will be spectacular Lion Dancing and a Dragon Dance, while the streets will resound to the beat of Chinese drums. This will be followed by a reception for invited guests at the KULOC Centre.

Kilmarnock's Chinese New Year celebration is organised by KULOC, the local Chinese Association. Children from Grange Academy, Annanhill Primary and Park School will be performing the Lion Dance and joining in the fun. Grange Campus has its own Confucius Classroom, where pupils are offered the opportunity to learn Mandarin.

Invited guests include Leader of the Council, Councillor Douglas Reid, local MP Des Browne and MSPs Willie Coffey and Cathy Jamieson, as well as a representative from the Chinese Consulate in Edinburgh.

KULOC Chairperson Thomas Ho said: "Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese holidays, and is a time of feasting with the family, celebration and gifts.

"We are such an integral part of the community that we would like our celebrations to be shared with everyone. Chinese communities across the world will be holding celebrations and we think it is only fitting that Kilmarnock is invited to join us in welcoming in the New Year."

Provost Stephanie Young said: "These local celebrations are always eagerly anticipated and I'm sure Chinese New Year will once again be a great event. I look forward to sharing the celebrations with the people of Kilmarnock. KULOC is to be congratulated for the excellent work its members do in our local communities and I wish everyone involved a successful and prosperous New Year."

East Ayrshire KULOC Chinese Community Association, formed in 1995, has over 200 members. It aims to provide assistance to improve the lives of Chinese people throughout the area.

The date that Chinese New Year falls on varies each year - this year Sunday 14 February is Chinese New Year Day. On New Year's Day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.

The Chinese calendar follows a 12-year pattern with each year named after an animal. Depending on the year you are born, you are believed to have the character traits of that year's animal. The tiger is a sign of courage. This fearless, fiery fighter is revered by the Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts.

People born in the Year of the Tiger are generally well-liked because of their charming personalities. Famous Tiger People: Agatha Christie, Demi Moore, Diana Rigg, Hilary Swank, Jodie Foster, Marilyn Monroe, Mary Queen of Scots, Penelope Cruz, Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Cruise.