Liverpool-Live

For the first time a Water Dragon will hit the city streets, taking over Bold Street and the Ropewalks area as part of the festivities. Musical community organisation Urban Strawberry Lunch (USL), have created the special water dragon, which is around three metres long and made of old lanterns, fake fur, huge pipe cleaners and glitter balls! They are asking people of all ages to get involved in what will be called the Urban Ritual part of the parade, by bringing something they can play - from old pots and pans to hand held portable drums - giving a musical accompaniment to the performance!

To get warmed up for the main event there are short rehearsals taking place at 2pm on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January at St Luke's (Bombed Out Church), or people are welcome to turn up at the church with their music making utensils at 1.30pm on the Sunday.

Ambrose Reynolds, Artistic Director for USL, said: "We love Chinese New Year. It's one of those rare times when the whole city can gather together to celebrate. We're really looking forward to people getting involved with the Urban Water Dragon parade too – it's our chance to bring a bit of Dragon magic to Bold Street and have a bit of fun at the same time!"

Celebrations will take place between 11am and 4pm in the China town area including Nelson Street, Berry Street, Great George Street and Great George Square where at 1pm there will be a firecracker display. For the first time many performers will then move to Bold Street to perform outside the Chinese-related businesses.

The Water Dragon will entertain the crowds before and after the spectacular lion, dragon and unicorn parade, which takes place along Nelson Street and Berry Street just after 1pm.

The hugely successful Taste of China street market will also return be on a much larger scale than 2011 – with over 45 food & craft stalls taking over Great George Street.

Liverpool city council's cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: "Chinese New Year is one of the highlights of our events calendar and it's wonderful to see part of the city centre taken over by the sights and smells of China! Bold Street is taking part in the celebrations for the first time, which I'm sure will mean thousands more people will join together to wish the Chinese community a healthy and happy new year."

Around 15,000 people are expected to take part in the festivities against the magnificent backdrop of Europe's biggest Chinese arch on Nelson Street. Road closures will also be in operation around the vacinity of the parade throughout the day.

For more information about taking part in the Water Dragon parade, call 0771 432 8415

PHOTO: Gerry Corden