The Asian American Coalition of Chicago will host its 23rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. This year's gala welcomes The Year of the Dog, 4709. The evening gala will include cocktails and open microphone political forum beginning at 5:30 p.m.; opening ceremonies beginning at 6:30 p.m., dinner, entertainment featuring music and a traditional cultural program, an awards ceremony, and a unity dance performance. Ticket sales begin this Fall for the popular star-studded event, which usually attracts over 1,100 people.
Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of Lunar New Year. This year it is the Indonesian American Community of Illinois, who is hosting the event for the first time, for the community's most important event of the year. (Source: Irene Cualoping).