Year of the Rabbit: Montrealers prepare for Lunar New Year celebrations
The countdown to the Lunar New Year is on, and members of Montreal's Chinese community are getting ready to celebrate.
The Year of the Tiger ends Saturday night and the Year of the Rabbit begins Sunday.
Chinatown is bustling and beautifully decorated for the weekend-long festivities at Sun Yat-sen Park.
"The rabbit is supposed to be the luckiest year, 2023," said Jimmy Chan, president of the Chan Association of Montreal.
His troop, the Chan Lion Dance Club, is performing in Chinatown. A parade is also scheduled, as well as non-stop activities that all are welcome to attend.
"I wish everybody good health, good luck, prosperity," said Chan. "Now the city is opened up and everyone can come together and celebrate Chinese New Year."
It's a time for families to gather over a meal, something they'll do for the first time in years.
At restaurant Dobe and Andy, the menu includes oxtail, vegetarian longevity noodles and other dishes that signify prosperity -- plus, a special collaboration with ice cream shop Ca Lem.
"It's this year's special, we're doing a white rabbit icecream," said restaurant co-owner Eric Ku.
The treat is based on the iconic creamy candy from China that many grew up with.
"It's pretty nostalgic. We used to eat these candies as kids," said Ku.
Ku says the Year of the Tiger has been challenging, and he has one wish for the Year of the Rabbit: better times for Chinatown.
"I want to see Chinatown get busy again. As a community, we've suffered for a couple years. Even after the pandemic, it's been tough."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.