Burlingame celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Main Library on Saturday, Jan. 28, kicking off the Year of the Rabbit with a traditional lion dance, a spirited ensemble of drummers and a festive crowd. A crowd of approximately 100 people gathered outside the library to enjoy the festivities of the new year.

The giant lion, pictured above, headlined the 15-minute performance backed by a group of about 10 teenage drummers. According to organizer of the event and librarian Jenny Miner, the event has been held since 2017, but is not as big as it used to be.

“We’ve been having White Crane lion dancers coming for all these years,”Miner said. “Before the pandemic, we also did some crafts and food along with it, but we’ve definitely simplified over the years.”

Along with this, the attendance of the event has seen a decrease in recent years.

“Last year was our smallest year and we had 120 [attendees]. Before the pandemic, we got about two to three hundred,” Miner said.

Though its crowds may be small, the show still attracts an audience of all ages, from families with small children to teenagers and senior citizens.Although the event has become more simple over the years, Miner still plans to host for the years to come, and hopes to gain back their pre-pandemic attendance rates.