Together they wind through the Chinatown streets or shopping centers, pausing at each shop while its proprietor emerges with the customary coin filled red envelope as a good luck token for the band, and with a bundle of firecrackers, which are ignited on the spot. Often the procession is followed by a program of varied performers - acrobats, unicorn, other dancers, and, perhaps, a color corps . The Chinese New Year Festival day and the succeeding days are the time for varied celebration, exhibits, flower fares, parades with lions and the traditional Chinese dragon and for other gaiety. The festival resounds with the explosion of firecrackers, and often, with the music youthful drum and bugle corps. There are appearances of a locally elected Miss Chinatown, and such exceptional features as Chinese dance, music, a variety of shows.
Children play prominent roles throughout the celebrations.
In Los Angeles parade, children carried lanterns and walked behind a gaily cavorting dragon with 100 legs. Dragons , in fact are prominent wherever the Chinese New Year is observed. These dragons are particular active during the grand finale celebrations the take place the end of the festivities. On the final day of celebration, the emphasis is often on mummery and fun, with a park or other open space serving as the center of activity. The dragon, a magnificent and undulating creature, makes his way there and so do assorted other merrymakers - stilt walkers with painted faces, masked clowns in vivid costume, thoroughly Americanized drum and bugle corps of neighborhood children, Chinese musicians who draw their viols and lutes from a gaily painted music wagon.