Celebrations of Tet Will Begin Today

The following festivities are scheduled in honor of Tet, the celebration of the Vietnamese lunar new year, which falls on Friday, ushering in the Year of the Ox:

* Lunar New Year Celebration, Rancho Santiago College Amphitheater, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, today from noon to 3 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Vietnamese Student Assn., will feature a dragon dance, skits, martial arts demonstrations and Asian foods.

* Westminster Tet Parade, Little Saigon, Saturday. Will feature more than 50 groups, including dancers and musicians of both Vietnamese and Latino heritage. The parade, which is co-sponsored by the city of Westminster, will begin at 11 a.m. at Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street, proceed along Bolsa and end at Bushard Street about 1 p.m.

* Little Saigon Tet Festival, Garden Grove Park, 9301 Westminster Ave., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The three-day festival, sponsored by the Vietnamese Community of Southern California, will benefit local charities and organizations. Hours are Friday from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

* Westminster Mall’s Asian Festival, off the San Diego Freeway at Golden West Street and Bolsa Avenue. Continues Saturday and Sunday with musicians, variety acts and the acclaimed Tien Hoang Dragon Team. Through Feb. 16, the Mall’s Art Gallery will feature works of prominent Asian American artists from Southern California. For more information on events and times: (714) 898-2550.

* Tet Dance Team, featuring members of Los Alamitos High School’s Asian Student Union, will perform a traditional Dragon Dance at 9 and 10 a.m. next Tuesday at Morningside Elementary School, 10521 Morningside Drive, Garden Grove.