The International Culture Exchange Group Wraps Up Historic Event
The International Culture Exchange Group Wraps Up Historic Event
Giant “Dragon Boat” Lantern Was On Display at SF City Hall February 6 – 13
13 February 2012 – San Francisco, CA: After an historic and record-breaking event which saw more than 416,000 people visit Global Winter Wonderland (www.globalwonderland.org) next to Santa Clara’s Great America during the holiday season, Lulu Huang’s International Culture Exchange wrapped up the “Year of the Dragon” new year’s festivities with a first-of-its kind display in front of San Francisco City Hall. Thousands of new fans experienced the 70-foot long giant “Dragon Boat” lantern, constructed from silk and recycled materials, illuminated nightly against the majestic dome of San Francisco City Hall, February 6 – 13, 2012. The first-ever display of such a cultural icon was kicked off by a special day of festivities and music presided over by San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee. Other dignitaries at the February 6 event included California State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, AT&T Regional Vice President Marc Blakeman, former San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. and special guest Chinese Consul General Gao Zhansheng.
Produced by Lulu Huang’s International Culture Exchange, the giant Chinese lantern was the centerpiece of this past month’s Global Winter Wonderland’s holiday festival of giant lanterns. The largest such event ever held outside of China, Global Winter Wonderland drew more than 415,000 visitors in its U.S. premiere year, covering over nine acres on Santa Clara’s Great America Parkway from November 25, 2011, through January 2, 2012.
Following is a video overview of Global Winter Wonderland: youtu.be/o37Iq73uWBw
“It was such an honor to be part of San Francisco’s historic Chinese New Year celebrations,” said International Culture Exchange Group (ICEG) Founder and President Lulu Huang. “Next year, we hope to be back and kick off the ‘Year of the Snake’ which begins on February 20, 2013!.”
ABOUT GLOBAL WINTER WONDERLAND The largest such festival ever presented outside of China, the 2011 U.S. premiere of Global Winter Wonderland featured giant illuminated lanterns depicting creatures and scenes that included a Christmas holiday village, animals real and imagined, and people and scenes from around the world. Highlights included recreations of some of the world’s greatest architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, Chichen Itza, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The eco-friendly lanterns, some of which towered more than 50 feet high and spanned nearly 100 feet wide, were illuminated with low voltage LEDs and fluorescent lights, with several structures powered by solar panels. Several of the lanterns, designed by engineers who built lanterns for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, were made from recycled everyday materials, including recycled water bottles, CDs, porcelain dishes, and medicine bottles. The Bay Area’s new family event of the holiday season also featured a dinosaur maze for children, carnival games, international cuisine, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and celebrations of holiday traditions from around the world.
About The International Culture Exchange Group: International Culture Exchange Group is working to embrace cultural diversities between countries and beliefs. We believe that in order to promote greater understanding between civilizations it is imperative to break down social barriers and misconceptions. We promote, create, sponsor and organize memorable cultural experiences internationally. www.cultureexchange.us / Telephone: (510) 962-8586 / Email: info@cultureexchange.us / 44063 Fremont Blvd Ste. B Fremont, CA 94538