January 25, 2008 Contact Luis Inzunza/Marc Littman Metro Media Relations 213.922.2711/922.2700 www.metro.net/pressroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Go Metro to Chinatown for Chinese New Year 2008

It’s 4706, the Year of the Rat, and the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10 in Los Angeles’ Chinatown will be a festival of cultural entertainment and exciting events highlighted by the annual Firecracker Run followed by the Golden Dragon Parade and the Chinese New Year Festival. Streets will be closed and parking will be limited, but Metro can take you to the Chinatown Metro Gold Line Station—within easy walking distance from the festivities.

The 30th annual Firecracker 10K race Feb. 10 will include a 5k Fun Walk and Kiddie Run and is expected to draw 20,000. Register by visiting www.firecracker10k.org, and now through Feb. 6, get $3 discount by registering online using the promotional code “gometro.” Another 50,000 visitors will attend the 109th Golden Dragon Parade, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9, along Broadway and Hill Streets. More 100 floats and the newly crowned L.A. Chinatown Queen and Court will be part of the festivities. These popular events are bound to draw substantial traffic so leave the car at home and go Metro.
A wide selection of food booths, lion dancers, martial arts demonstrations, carnival games and other children’s activities will be part of the Feb. 9 and 10 Chinese New Year Festival. Hours will be Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual classic car show will take place Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to 6p.m.

The Los Angeles to Pasadena Metro Gold Line stops in Chinatown, where many events are within a block or two of the station. Metro Bus Lines 45, 76, 81, 83, 84, 90, 92, 94, and 96, DASH Lincoln Heights/Chinatown and DASH Downtown buses also serve the area.

Metro fares are $1.25 for a one-way ticket and $5 for an all day pass. Passes can be purchased on board Metro Buses or at Metro Rail station ticket vending machines.

To plan your trip, use the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net or call 1-800-COMMUTE. For more information on the Firecracker Run, go to www.firecracker10K.org, or call 323-256-1363. For further information on Chinese New Year events contact the Chinatown Business Improvement District at 213-680-0243 or visit www.chinatownla.com or call the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles at 213-6170396 x10 or visit visit www.lachinesechamber.org.

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