Miss Chinatown comes home for Lunar New Year: Pageant winner to be honored during annual Millbrae celebration

Wong turns her attention to a homecoming during the Millbrae Lunar New Year celebration, Saturday, Feb. 27, following her victory at the pageant held in San Francisco earlier this month.

The Mills High School graduate said she is thrilled to receive acknowledgment in her own community, during the city’s annual cultural celebration.

Wong said she hopes some of the recognition she gained is able to be shared with the rest of the Millbrae community, which she credits with molding her onto the path to success in the pageant.

“After winning, I’m screaming out to the world that I’m very proud of being from Millbrae,” she said. “And hopefully I’m putting it on the map for the rest of the world to know.”

Wong, who graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles and now works as a technical consultant at Oracle, said she considered the unexpected victory one of her crowning achievements.

“The entire experience was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,” she said. “Regardless if I won or not, I would have cherished it forever.”

Beyond beating out the 12 other contestants from across the country for the top title in the pageant, Wong also won the competition’s talent contest for her acrobatics performance.

The avid dancer honed her passion for performing in local studios while attending elementary and middle school in Millbrae.

Always one to participate in community events and volunteer, Wong said she thrived in the friendly and familiar confines of her native community.

“I appreciated and enjoyed my childhood because I liked the fact that I grew up in a community that felt very close-knit,” she said. “I think it gave me a unique perspective and gave me appreciation for the community.”

She said she always loved going to the city’s Lunar New Year celebration, and looks forward to participating in the event this year.

The free party begins 10 a.m. in the plaza adjacent to Millbrae City Hall, at the intersection of Library and Magnolia avenues, and will continue on throughout the day until 4 p.m.

The golden dragon and lion dance, an annual fan favorite feature of the celebration, is expected to commence around 2 p.m. interspersed throughout the rest of the day will be art, music, dance, martial arts performances and more.

Traditionally one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations along the Peninsula, more than 1,000 people are expected to flock to Millbrae and enjoy the festivities.

Millbrae Mayor Anne Oliva said the celebration is one of her favorite annual events.

She said restaurants throughout Millbrae have been packed with people celebrating the Lunar New Year over the last month, which has been a boon for local businesses.

Oliva said her favorite element of the celebration is watching generations come together in observance of a cultural tradition.

“It’s so warm and so fun,” she said. “I love it.”

Wong said she is uncertain of what to expect in terms of receiving formal recognition this weekend, but said she is excited to share her appreciation for her heritage and hometown.

She said her experience in the pageant connected her more deeply with her roots.

“It really put things into perspective about how vibrant this Chinese community is,” she said. “It really reminded me of my culture and brought me closer to it.”

In her role as an ambassador, she would like to encourage others to appreciate their history as well, she said.

“I want to remind the youth to learn more about their culture and heritage,” she said.

Millbrae is not the only San Mateo County city hosting a Lunar New Year celebration though.

Redwood City will host its own set of festivities, beginning 11 a.m. in Courthouse Square. The sixth annual event is set to feature lion dancers, red panda acrobats, taiko drummers and more. Admission is free.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105