Zha Liyou, Chinese deputy consul general of the Consulate General in San Francisco, delivers a speech during the Chinese Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony at the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, July 15, 2016. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

The Chinese Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony, also known as the Lightening Ceremony, was held at the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in the south of San Francisco Bay on the night of July 15.

Zha Liyou, Chinese deputy consul general of the Consulate General in San Francisco, Xiao Xiayong, Chinese cultural counselor,  Perry Woodward, mayor of Gilroy, Jose Esteves, mayor of Milpitas and more than 200 other guests were invited to the ceremony.

Zha delivered a speech at the ceremony by announcing the beginning of the Chinese lantern night. The park was decorated with 38 colored lanterns and lamps, some of which are large-sized, containing rich stories of Chinese myth, legend and place of interest.

These lights, he said, built up a wonderful platform for Chinese to communicate with ordinary American families. He believes that many American friends who have watched the lanterns will surely be inspired to visit China to experience profound Chinese culture, since 2016 is the tourism year of China and America. He also expressed congratulations on the success of the lantern festival which took the Xin Ya Colored Lantern Company of Zi Gong two years to design and prepare.

Shows with Chinese characteristics including Liao Yuqi's song "I love you, China" and acrobatics performances of Beijing players added color to the ceremony. The Chinese Lumination Art Group in San Francisco, recently awarded by Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, presented a fabulous performance mixed with national dance, martial art, folk song and magic shows, which received enormous praise from the700-strong audience.

The Chinese Lantern Festival has lightened American families' curiosity and enthusiasm about Chinese Culture, as well as the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, which attracted more than 5000 tourists on the opening night. It has been open to the public since July 16 and will last until late November, during which various Chinese cultural activities, including art performances, teaching interaction activities and a Chinese Culture Day, will be held.