NEVADA CITY, Calif. March 1, 2026 – The 12th annual Nevada City Chinese Lunar New Year Parade and Festival, organized by Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (CATS) honored the legacy of early Chinese Gold Rush pioneers and railroad workers of the Sierra Nevada with the Lunar New Year celebration.
Getting ready
This year’s mascot was represented in the parade by horses and riders of the Nevada County Sheriff’s HEART (Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team), with the horses owned by Los Caballeros de Auburn, under the direction of Jose Mendoza.
Other units included the audience favorite — Chinese ceremonial Lion Dancers and a 72’ Chinese Dragon from Eastern Ways Martial Arts of Sacramento; students from Bell Hill Academy; “Mulan,” (aka Lily Emmolo); members of Grass Valley Aikikai, local theatre groups; Grass Valley Hula, our spiritual friends from Falun Dafa; and Iwa Daiko drummers from Sacramento, among others.
Many thanks to CATS Executive Director Jeannie Wood for inviting us to participate in the parade, to Greg Bulanti for the ride in style and Tina Mark and Sharon Ng for carrying the Grand Marshal sign. Thanks to everyone who came out to see the parade or the festivities at the Miners Foundry.
