Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Young women perform a prelude dance during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise. For more photos see (www.news-gazette.com)

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the Yo Yo TASC Special Ops rehears before performing during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Co-host Alex Lo during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

A celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Co-hosts Alex Lo and Michelle Lu during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Young women perform a prelude dance during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise. For more photos see (www.news-gazette.com)

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Young women perform a prelude dance during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise. For more photos see (www.news-gazette.com)

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Young women perform a prelude dance during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise. For more photos see (www.news-gazette.com)

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

UI Chancellor Phyllis Wise with retired UI professor Ben Kuo and other during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Xiaoxu Fu and Zhouyang Dai prepare a Zheng for use during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Food is served during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

UI Chancellor Phyllis Wise (right) greets retired UI professor Ben Kuo, who helped establish the local celebration over 50 years ago. Before a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

A dancer waits as a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square gets underway on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

A dragon at the entrance as a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square gets underway on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Guest crowd the registration table as a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square gets underway on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Dragons at the entrance as a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square gets underway on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the Countryside School Chinese class do a presentation during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the Countryside School Chinese class do a presentation during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the Countryside School Chinese class do a presentation during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

The presentation of the oldest Dragon is made by Alex Lo during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Co-host Michelle Lu talks with the youngest person born in a dragon year as fellow host Alex Lo watches during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Co-host MIchelle Lu during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

CAACI president Thomas Chen welcomes guests during a celebration of Chinese New Year the Lincoln Square on Sunday, Jan 22, 2012. The event was organized by CAACI (Chinese American Association of Central Illinois) and was attended an estimated 300 people, including Chancellor Phyllis Wise