$1.25
your homegrown newspaper February 5, 2025
Democracy program pg. 5
Vol. 21, No. 21
Hot Springs residents brighten grey days with annual parade By Summer Goddard / Valley Journal
Tax reform pg. 8
Sports pg. 14
HOT SPRINGS — Canon fire heralded the start of the 13th annual Lunar New Year parade held last Saturday in Hot Springs. Also known as the Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year officially began on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Saturday’s parade participants dressed in brightly colored animal costumes representing the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and danced down Main Street while towns people gathered on sidewalks to watch. Several parade participants played music on real or makeshift instruments – including buckets and garbage cans for drums. This year, according to the Chinese Zodiac, is the year of the snake. Parade organizer Linny Gibson, who refers to herself as more of the “master instigator,” wore a snake head that
Year of the
SNAKE
see page 2
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
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With giant puppet hands Paul Stelter leads the 2025 Lunar New Year parade down Main Street in Hot Springs.