Chinese American Pilgrimage @ 140th Marysville Bok Kai Festival

​Dear Friends,

This year in conjunction with the 140th annual Marysville Bok Kai Parade and Festival, the Chinese American Pioneer Heritage Committee is holding its 3nd annual Chinese American Pilgrimage on February 22 & 23 in the historic old Marysville Chinatown.  Marysville Chinatown, founded in the 1850s was at one time the 2nd largest in the US.  It was the hub of many Chinese Americans who built the infrastructure of California—including railroads, roads, wineries, mines, delta levees, water and irrigation systems and agricultural farmlands.

Please join us as we host 2 days of extended cultural programming including a Chinese American Documentary Film Festival, walking tours of the historic old Chinatown, demonstrations of early Chinese immigrant cooking, historic photo exhibits, musical and theatrical performances.  Throughout the weekend, visitors can visit the historic Bok Kai Temple, Old Chinese School Museum and Chinese American Museum of Northern California.  Many come to worship at the Marysville Bok Kai Temple, the oldest continuously operating Taoist Temple in the U.S. founded in the 1850s.  Join us at the Saturday Pioneer Dinner as we honor and network with community leaders and activists.

On Sunday, join us for a full day of History Panels and Workshops, as we discuss the sharing and recording of family stories, genealogical research, historical memory and community history.  This year we honor the “LOST CHINATOWNS” almost 100 communities destroyed because of Chinese Exclusion, discrimination, violence and economic displacement.  Join us as we rediscover the lost Chinese American communities of Pacific Grove/ Monterey, San Jose, and Stockton.  Learn about the exciting work being done to digitally recreate our historic communities to change the face of how public history is done.  Join us as community historian, David Lei brings to life a multimedia Digital Mapping of 1905 SF Chinatown.  Prof. Jennifer Helgren and her team of researchers at the Univ. of the Pacific will demonstrate their Virtual Reality recreation of Historic Stockton Little Manila.  Share in the history of “Gold Country’s Last Chinatown: Marysville, California,” as Brian Tom shares the history of the Chinese American Pioneer families and descendants of Marysville.  Come out and share your stories and memories of Marysville.  Join us as we screen Felicia Lowe’s award winning documentary, “Chinese Couplets,” as she intimately explores the impact that the Chinese Exclusion Act had on her family.  Conclude the day with the traditional firing of the bombs and catch a “good fortune” ring at the Bomb Day festivities. 
All are welcome. For reservations and details please see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marysville-bokkai-festival-chinese-american-pilgrimage-lost-chinatowns-tickets-91246218897

Attached is also the full program Flyer.  Please feel free to share widely with your friends and family.

The Marysville Bok Kai Parade and Festival is the longest continuously held parade in California dating back to the 1880s.  The event draws thousands of visitors from all over the Sacramento Delta, San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of California, some from as far away as Seattle, Oregon, Nevada and even Hong Kong.
 
Let's make this an annual tradition!  Join our Chinese American Pilgrimage.  Meet and celebrate with old and new friends.  Many elderly Chinese Americans vividly and fondly remember the excitement of visiting the Marysville Bok Kai Festival and Bomb Day as children.  Bring your families and children, instill new memories, and continue the tradition!  
 
Return to Marysville and join us to make this 140-year festival, a continued and cultural success.

For those coming from out of town, lodging can be found in nearby Yuba City, such as at the Travelodge – 965 Gray Avenue, Yuba City, CA.  We have also secured a Festival Rate at the newly opened Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Wheatland.  Information for registration can be found in the attached flyer.
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Please help us to share this Event on Facebook, through your organizations, and with your friends and families.
Sincerely,
Anna Eng
Program Coordinator, Chinese American Pioneer Heritage Committee
3rd Chinese American Pilgrimage @ 140th Marysville Bok Kai Parade & Festival
February 22 & 23, 2020
 
Co-chairs:
      Brian Tom, Director, Chinese American Museum of Northern California, Marysville
      Dr. Floyd Huen, founder Asian American Studies, UC Berkeley
 
Committee: 
      Jean Quan, Former Oakland Mayor  
      David Lei, Chinese American Community Foundation   
      Douglas Wong, Oakland CACA President
      Anna Eng, San Francisco State University
      Brenda Hee Wong, Chinese Historical & Cultural Project
      Gerry Low-Sabado, Community Preservationist
      Lotus Fong, San Francisco
      Linda Lew, Berkeley