City officials help the descents of Red Bluff Chinese families celebrate the opening of “Historic Chinatown Alley.”
By GEORGE JOHNSTON | gjohnston@redbluffdailynews.com | Red Bluff Daily News
RED BLUFF — A whole host of events are planned throughout the year to celebrate Red Tehama County’s Chinese residents and history.
An ancient Chinese Lion Dance at 8 a.m.Saturday, Jan. 28, will kick things off to honor the unveiling of the “Historic Chinses Alley” street signs. These signs will be installed on Hickory Street through Pine Street between Main Street and Rio Street.
Organizer Jessica Chew said the dance is this ancient and culturally significant tradition performed by Chinese Lion Dancers from Sacramento and will include blessings of prosperity and longevity. Following the Lion Dance, Jeanie Lim and her friends will perform a unique Tai Chi performance. The Lim family in Redding are descendants of King Sing, who pioneered the restaurant industry in the 1900s in Tehama County, which expanded throughout the north state. Descendants from the Chew, Foey, Chin and Lim family will give speeches regarding the one-year series of events in honor of their ancestors.
A list of planned events. (Contributed)
“Over the past year, we have learned so much about the rich Chinese American history of Tehama County, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor and celebrate this important part of our community’s heritage,” Chew said.
Admission to this event is free for all to enjoy.
In April, the Chew family invites the community to participate in the Qingming Festival. This festival of remembrance of Red Bluff’s Chinese Ancestors Day, or Tomb Sweeping, allows people to participate in Qing, which means to clean, and Ming, which means bright, together cleaning the tombs to pure brightness. The event is taking place from 10-11:30 a.m. April 5 at the Oak Hill Cemetery Chinese Section in Red Bluff.
William Wong Foey on May 6, will have a book reading at the Shasta College- Tehama Campus.
Still in the works is getting a set time and location for the Chew family exhibition.
The Tehama Public Library is hosting the Terracotta Horse from 6-7 p.m. on Sept. 29. This artifact is a kinesthetic symbol of reconnecting the past to the present. The Chew family will prepare food, and a speaker will lecture on ancient China, followed by the Terracotta horse unveiling.
The Helen and Joe Chew Foundation has partnered with PBS to host a documentary film screening and panel discussion at the State Theater from 2-4 p.m Oct. 22. The documentary will tell the seldom-told history of Chinese immigration in the course of the 1800s to mid-1900s through numerous educators and families.
Veterans Day on Nov.11 will provide an opportunity to show tribute with the American Legion Post 167 in the unveiling of the Chinese American Veteran Memorial wall showcasing and highlighting all 17 of Red Bluff’s veteran sons. Ed Gor is the special speaker for the day and will help highlight the accomplishments and historical achievements of Red Bluff’s Chinese American WWII Veterans and their journey to the Congressional Gold Medal.
There will be a separate memorial, and tribute will be made to recognize each veteran recipient at their headstone buried in the segregated “Chinese Section.”
The year of celebration will conclude in February 2024 with a celebration of “Historic Chinatown Alley.”
More about the events and Red Bluff’s Chinese history can be found at https://www.redbluffchew.org/creatingahistoricchinatownalley
George Johnston is a reporter for the Red Bluff Daily News. He graduated from Chico State with a degree in English and minor in Journalism.
gjohnston@redbluffdailynews.com
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