Farmers family fun: Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras

By John Welborne

Adults and children will be captivated by a traditional lion dance performance celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on Sat., Feb. 4, at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 West Third Street.

Other Lunar New Year activities that day, from 2 to 4 p.m., will include balloon twisting and a rabbit crown-making workshop. Market management also promises giveaways featuring Farmers Market gift certificates and merchandise.

In addition to the Feb. 4 activities, the market will feature “Lucky 8” Lunar New Year specials from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, offered by nearly two dozen of its merchants.

Mardi Gras

This year, “Fat Tuesday,” the day preceding the start of Lent, is Feb. 21. That day, also called Shrove Tuesday, is the big blowout preceding some people’s fasting and abstinence during the 40 days leading up to Easter. The American celebrations and carnival activities relating to Mardi Gras got their starts in New Orleans in the 1700s.

Shrove Tuesday this year is the day after Presidents’ Day, and the Original Farmers Market has scheduled many festive activities for the weekend of Feb. 18-19 as well as Fat Tuesday, the 21st. Learn more about both Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year at: farmersmarketla.com/events.