1-21-2024 2:14pm

Bridgewater Commons to Welcome the Year of the Dragon with “Lunar New Year @ The Commons” on February 10

Donnella Tilery Editor

(A dragon dance will be an especially appropriate highlight as Bridgewater Commons rings in the Year of the Dragon at “Lunar New Year @ The Commons” on February 10. Photo credit: Bridgewater Commons.)

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (January 16, 2024) — One new year celebration is done, and another is soon to begin, as Bridgewater Commons has announced plans to welcome the Year of the Dragon at the free “Lunar New Year @ The Commons” on Saturday, February 10 in partnership with The Center for Cultural & Creative Exchange (CCCE).

The Lunar New Year is the grandest ancient traditional festival in Asia, signaling the beginning of spring and the arrival of the new year. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., families will be welcomed to partake in a Chinese arts and crafts workshop at the center’s Event Space on the Main Level, next to Van’s. Activities will include paper dragon making, Chinese calligraphy and traditional games.

From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Center Court, the CCCE will feature traditional Asian performances and a thrilling dragon and lion dance accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gong instruments synchronized to dragon dance movements believed to bring good luck and fortune. In addition, the organization will host the traditional Chinese giving of red envelopes filled with special offers from eateries such as Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Sbarro’s and Acai Fruit Bowl to delight lucky attendees.

“Our Lunar New Year celebration has become a beloved tradition at Bridgewater Commons, especially among our influential Asian American community,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director of Bridgewater Commons. “And we’re thrilled to continue working with the CCCE to make it fun, education and truly evocative of Chinese culture.”

Established in 2019, CCCE is a non-profit organization founded in New Jersey and its mission is twofold: to help preserve Chinese culture and heritage and to promote unity, harmony, and respect for all demographic groups within the community. Through sharing East Asian culture and art, CCCE provides several cultural events annually including The Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar Chinese New Year and many more.

“Bridgewater Commons has been an amazing partner, helping us to share aspects of Chinese culture with the entire community,” said Li Ching Jung, Head of the CCCE. “The Year of the Dragon is believed to foster growth and abundance, and working together, we hope to bring that to all of Bridgewater Commons’ guests.”

Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, the 1.2 million-square-foot Bridgewater Commons is Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

The complex also includes The Village at Bridgewater Commons, a unique, open-air shopping district with more than 10 retailers and food and beverage locations including LOFT, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shake Shack, and Starbucks.

About Bridgewater Commons
Bridgewater Commons is one of Northern New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, located in a vibrant suburb in proximity to New York City. The 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center features a vibrant mix of retailers and restaurants with wide consumer appeal. More than 150 brands call Bridgewater Commons home, from well-known national retailers and restaurants such as Apple, lululemon athletica, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Seasons 52 and The Cheesecake Factory, to popular local small shops like SNIPES, Crepes du Nord and DIG. In 2023, Bridgewater Commons celebrated its 35th anniversary and was acquired by Pacific Retail Capital Partners, one of the premier owners of retail real estate in the country. For more information on the property, please visit bridgewatercommons.com or follow on social media: Facebook @BridgewaterCommons and Instagram: shopbridgewatercommons.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open- air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail.