UW–Platteville’s Confucius Institute will host its sixth annual Chinese Festival in the Ullsvik Hall Velzy Commons Sunday, Feb. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Year of the Horse starts on Jan. 31 according to the Chinese zodiac. The past tradition of this holiday was to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family from near and afar together for feasting. People also produced noise from setting off firecrackers to frighten evil spirits.

“Our understanding is that people in the Tri-State area have come to know Chinese culture and its holidays, especially the Chinese New Year,” said Mel Reeder, director of the Confucius Institute. “The minimum admission fee we charge and the sale from the souvenir will all be used to compensate the supplies, food, stage performance, services, etc. so we can continue developing and revamping this event yearly that keeps people coming back for more.

Confucius Institute staff, instructors, student assistants, and volunteers will host an array of activities such as calligraphy, paper cutting, paper folding (Origami), simple instruction of Taichi, and Guzheng (a traditional zither instrument) while Lion and Dragon Dance, folk dancing, martial arts, traditional instruments will be entertained on the stage.

Tickets are available at www3.uwplatt.edu/box-office/tickets or call 342-1298 or 1-877-727-1CFA.