Fire energy gallops through SACA Spring Festival

By Lethbridge Herald on February 24, 2026.

Herald Photo by Joe Manio The Lethbridge Flying Dragon weaves around the dining room perimeter during the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre Saturday. The dragon symbolizes strength, prosperity, and good luck, and its winding movement through the crowd is believed to chase away evil spirits and bring blessings to everyone present.

By Joe Manio

Lethbridge Herald

With pounding drums, swirling dragons and flashes of red and gold, the Southern Alberta Chinese Association (SACA) welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse — a rare zodiac year that last occurred in 1966 — on Saturday evening at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre. 

The sold-out Lunar New Year celebration drew 420 attendees, filling the ballroom with community members, dignitaries and supporters. Emcees Meimei Chen, Lisa Mo, Starr Sun and David Yang guided the evening.

In Chinese astrology, the Horse symbolizes energy, optimism and independence. Paired with the Fire element — appearing only once every 60 years — it represents courage, transformation and forward momentum.

For SACA president Wayne Kwan, those qualities reflect both heritage and growth.

“Lunar New Year is first and foremost a cultural celebration that brings families and the community together,” Kwan said. “But the Fire Horse also represents moving forward with strength and confidence. It’s about growth, working together and building something bigger for the future.”

Kwan said SACA has expanded steadily over the past decade, with increasing volunteer involvement and broader community participation. The gala’s attendance — capped at 420 due to venue limits — reflects that momentum.

“This is the maximum the ballroom can hold,” he said. “In the future, we’re looking at a bigger space. That shows how much interest there is.”

The evening opened with a lion dance by the Lethbridge Hung Moon Athletic Club; followed by remarks followed from Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary Xiusheng Wang; MP Rachael Thomas; MLAs Nathan Neudorf and Rob Miyashiro; Mayor Blaine Hyggen; Lethbridge County Reeve Tory Campbell; University of Lethbridge President Digvir Jayas; and Lethbridge Polytechnic President and CEO Brad Donaldson.

Hyggen said Lunar New Year celebrations reflect both the strength of the Chinese community and the broader growth of Lethbridge as a multicultural city.

“The culture that the Chinese community brings to Lethbridge is second to none,” he said, dressed in a gold Chinese tang suit jacket for the occasion. “Especially as we celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse — it’s a symbol of forward movement and progress. It encourages us to pursue our goals with courage, embrace new opportunities and work together.”

He added that diversity strengthens the city socially and economically.

“Events like this are incredibly important to our social and economic vitality,” Hyggen said. “We are a very culturally diverse community, and celebrating Lunar New Year is nothing short of amazing.”

Reflecting on the Fire Horse’s themes of transformation, Hyggen noted that Lethbridge continues to evolve and grow. He concluded with a New Year’s greeting: “Gong hei fat choy — and Happy New Year.”

Dinner included video tributes to sponsors, greetings from SACA board members in their hometown dialects, recognition of the association’s highway cleanup team, and introductions of recipients of the Community Service Excellence, Youth Innovation and 2026 Youth Scholarship awards.

Kwan said recognizing youth achievement is central to the gala’s mission.

“While Lunar New Year is a cultural celebration, it’s also about bringing generations together,” he said. “Supporting youth through scholarships and awards encourages leadership and innovation in our community.”

The entertainment program blended tradition with contemporary flair. A dragon dance by Lethbridge Flying Dragon energized the room, followed by the Chinese God of Wealth offering blessings. Performances included taiko drumming, a ribbon dragon dance by Lethbridge Chinese School students, and martial arts demonstrations.

The Lethbridge Chinese Cultural Dance Club performed “Red Saddle,” “War Horse” and “Meet After Twenty Years.” 

Musical highlights included a violin solo by Ryan Wang, a guzheng medley by Meimei Chen, and a guzheng-and-guitar duet by Chen and Feifei Du. Ying Zheng performed “Ode to Pear Blossom,” accompanied by dancer Yilin Li, and Starbound Dance Centre presented a contemporary piece.

Looking ahead, Kwan said SACA’s calendar includes Asian Heritage Week in April, a Dragon Boat festival in June, a summer barbecue and participation in Canada Day festivities.

As the formal program gave way to karaoke, the spirit of the Fire Horse — bold, forward-looking and vibrant — carried late into the night. Sixty years after its last appearance in 1966, the Year of the Fire Horse returned to a community celebrating both its heritage and its future in southern Alberta.