This year’s Lucky Children’s Chinatown tour on Feb. 22 in Marysville will feature mask making and a snake puppet show. Participants can also join the Bok Kai parade on March 1. Photo courtesy of Andrew Comings

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Sue Moyers has been a part of the Lucky Children’s Chinatown Tour for more than a decade. This free, family friendly event is part of the annual Bok Kai festivities, working to educate the public and build momentum toward California’s oldest continuously-held parade.

This year's Lucky Children’s Chinatown tour will start at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 and will include a guided tour of Marysville’s historic Chinatown, a puppet show and mask making. Following the Chinese calendar, 2025 has been dubbed Year of the Snake, symbolizing a period of wisdom, transformation and personal growth. In honor of this year, Moyers story time will feature twin snake puppets in “Spirit of the Snake” as they learn the history and traditions of the Chinese New Year.

“Every year, (Moyers) has children come in and she does a little puppet show for them and I give a tour and then they make masks,” said Jon Lim, president of the Marysville Chinese Community. “If enough of the children that participate want to be in the parade, we can put (Moyers) on a float with them all wearing their masks.”

The materials needed to create these masks, instruction and craft time will be provided during the tour. Children can also make a red lantern and will each receive a snake necklace and lucky penny red envelopes.

“Last year, we had a good turnout for the masks but unfortunately not enough of the kids were able to attend the parade part of it,” said Lim. “Hopefully, we can do both this year.”

Space is limited to the first 30 guests and reservations are suggested. For more details or to reserve space, contact Moyers at 530-218-4070. The tour will begin at the old Chinese School House and end at the Bok Kai Temple in downtown historic Marysville. Traditional refreshments will be served. This event is sponsored by the Marysville Chinese Community and Friends of Bok Kai.

About Bok Kai:

Bok Kai is the Chinese god of water and the Bok Kai Festival is an annual celebration of his birthday in Marysville. The festival typically includes a parade, firecrackers and outdoor music. This year, Bok Kai will be celebrated on March 1 and 2. The Bok Kai Parade, which takes place in historic Marysville, will begin at 11 a.m. March 1.

Following the parade, lion dancers will visit businesses to give their annual blessings. At the corner of First and C Street in Marysville, the Institute of Rock will host a student talent show. The Wood Butcher will also host music and entertainment on an outdoor stage near the intersection of Third and C Street. At 8 p.m., fireworks will commence again at the intersection of First and C Street.

 On Sunday, March 2, street vendors will be available throughout the day starting at 9 a.m. and organizers anticipate hosting a Rib Cook Off and car show. Martial arts demonstrations and dancing will also be hosted at the corner of First and C St. The firing of the bombs, a ceremony that involves firing large, handmade firecrackers into the air to release “good fortune” rings, will start at 4 p.m.