Photos: Chinese New Year parade in Vancouver

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      This year, I showed up a little late for the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown, which meant that I missed most of the elected officials at the front of the route.

      But since my colleague Stephen Hui had already photographed hordes of politicians in previous parades, it didn't break my heart that we wouldn't be seeing too many of them in this post. Besides, I had already taken pictures of plenty of politicians yesterday at the opening ceremony of LunarFest on the plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

      At today's parade in Chinatown, I ran into New Westminster NDP MLA Judy Darcy and Vancouver-Fairview NDP MLA George Heyman.

      Judy Darcy and George Heyman enjoy the party.
      Charlie Smith

      But the real star of the parade was Faye Leung, who looked resplendent in the back seat of a convertible. She was wearing a hat chosen especially for the occasion.

      Leung and her deceased husband, Dean, helped prevent the destruction of Chinatown when they opposed a freeway going through the historic district.

      Many years later, Leung played a role in bringing an end to the premiership of Bill Vander Zalm in 1991.

      Leung had been the real-estate agent on the sale of Vander Zalm's Fantasy Gardens in Richmond. On March 21, 1991, Leung's lawyer released taped phone calls of Leung complaining to Vander Zalm that she hadn't received a commission after the property had been sold to billionaire Tan Yu.

      A week later, Vander Zalm resigned.

      Leung has experienced much of the history of Chinatown and likes telling stories about one of its most famous former residents, The Jade Peony author Wayson Choy. As a boy, he went by the name "Sonny".

      If you missed the parade, here's a short video of a dragon-dancing team on Keefer Street.

      Below, you can see some snapshots along the route.

      Burnaby North secondary has a large marching band.
      Charlie Smith
      There's a growing number of Vancouverites from Jiangsu.
      Charlie Smith
      Lion dancers come out every year on West Pender Street.
      Charlie Smith
      Guangzhou is the largest city in Guangdong province.
      Charlie Smith
      The Sikh Motorcycle Club will also be at Vaisakhi in April.
      Charlie Smith
      The Teo Chew Society shows its colours on Keefer Street.
      Charlie Smith
      Vancity staff always have fun at the parade.
      Charlie Smith
      CBC's Sheryl MacKay marched and then watched.
      Charlie Smith
      Shon Yee was one of many societies at the event.
      Charlie Smith
      Great weather helped attract large crowds.
      Charlie Smith
      Today, the Raelians kept their clothes on.
      Charlie Smith
      See you next year.
      Charlie Smith

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