2018 Year of the Earth Dog Lunar New Year Celebration

For the third year in a row, Squirrel Hill is celebrating the 2-week Lunar New Year Festival. Beginning with a kick-off celebration on Saturday, February 17th  at the Jewish Community Center and culminating with the Year of the Earth Dog Parade on March 4th on Murray Avenue, be awed by dragons and dancers, taiko drummers and martial artists, and eat in some of the best Asian restaurants in the city!

Year of the Earth Dog Kick-Off Celebration            1pm- 5pm, Saturday, February 17th / JCC in Squirrel Hill 

Free and open to the public/ family friendly

Throughout the building, attendees can enjoy free arts and crafts for the kids including calligraphy, origami, making hand-drums (for the parade of course!), Chinese paper cutting, and more. There will be door prizes and free give-aways throughout the afternoon, be sure to submit your name!  There will also be delicious, authentic Asian foods and drinks, savory and sweet for sale.

In addition to the activities inside the JCC, two teams of lion dancers will be visiting and blessing our merchants on Forbes and Murray from 10am to 3pm.

On stage in Levinson Hall, we have planned over 21 live performances. Proposed program is subject to change:

Year of the Earth Dog Parade

Starting at 11am, Sunday, March 4, on Murray Ave.

More than 30 organizations and groups dressed in full regalia and cultural splendor will begin their march at Murray Avenue and Phillips. The route will continue up Murray Avenue and conclude at Forbes and Murray. Joining them will be the City-award winning Allderdice High School Marching Band, Silk Elephant Thai Fire Breather, Pittsburgh Paddlefish, Minadeo K-5 Dragon, and much more!

Grand Marshal this year is Karen Fung Yee (click link for bio)

Street Closures:

On Sunday March 4th 8:30am-12:30pm, NO vehicles will be allowed to pass through Murray Avenue from Douglas Street, Hobart Street, Beacon Street, Bartlett Street, and Darlington Road in anticipation of the Lunar New Year Parade. If you reside East of Murray and Darlington; East of Murray and Beacon; and East of Murray on Douglas, you may enter/exit via Shady Avenue. If you reside west of Murray on Darlington, you may enter via Wightman Street and exit via St. Edmunds lot between their building and the JCC and onto Forbes Avenue. If you are a resident living west of Murray on Bartlett, you may enter/exit via Wightman Avenue.

We ask all residents to plan alternative routes and reschedule deliveries as needed during this period. Please communicate this information to your guests, vendors and tenants.

Driving Restrictions and Reminders:    

Traffic entrances to your home will be limited via Shady Avenue and Wightman Street only. Port Authority will be rerouting buses to Shady and Phillips. Please adjust your travel plans to and from your residence during this period.

Between these two events, all of Pittsburgh is invited to celebrate Lunar Near Year in Squirrel Hill, where participating Asian restaurants will be offering specials.

Get your Year of the Earth Dog T-Shirt!

T-Shirt: $15
Email info@shuc.org to order a shirt.

Lunar New Year PGH is a 2-week celebration organized by the partners Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Uncover Squirrel Hill, OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, Pgh, Jewish Family & Community Services, and the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh.