2013 Bok Kai Festival

As I type this, my ears are still ringing from the fireworks in Marysville today for the Bok Kai Festival. Marysville calls itself "The Gateway to the Goldfields," and its Chinatown dates to the Gold Rush, although what remains is a remnant of what once was. Decades ago the young ones started to move out for opportunities elsewhere. But they remember their Marysville heritage, and return for the annual Bok Kai festival. Even those of no Chinese heritage are drawn to the parade, the historic Bok Kai temple and its water god Bok Eye, the lions blessing the businesses, the gongs and the cymbals and the drums, and the fireworks. This weekend was the 133rd festival.

(Just a small note: Airmen from nearby Beale Air Force Base volunteer to parade the Bok Eye dragon through the streets.)