Bok Kai Parade
Each year in the cool breath of early spring, thousands gather in Marysville to appreciate a unique part of
California’s living culture. The Bok Kai Parade and Festival has become many things to many people: a celebration
of Chinese-American culture and history; a recalling of Marysville’s place in the formation of our State; a warm
and time honored tradition for local families; and to the hundreds of Chinese who return to the Bok Kai temple,
the honoring of an important god, bringing prosperity to the new year.
Bok Kai (pronounced bok eye) is the Chinese god of the North. He is revered as having dominion over rainfall,
water systems, flooding and irrigation. To a culture dependent not only on agricultural success but safety from
the river’s annual ebb and flow, the honoring of Bok Kai was (and still is), an important practice. According to
this tradition, Bok Kai has successfully prevented Marysville from flooding when all surrounding communities have
encountered near-ruinous fates, even as recently as 1997.
Built in the 1850’s, the initial Bok Kai Temple was desolated by fire. The cherished structure now standing was
dedicated in 1880, just five years after the levee system was constructed around Marysville. The temple is unique
in the United States and was designated one of America's Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places by the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to being a working temple, the Bok Kai is a symbol of gratitude and
hope for those Chinese who had left their homeland for a better life in America.
The colorful parade, running down both D and C streets, is said to be the oldest continually-held parade in
California. It features a traditional 150-foot Chinese dragon and a spectacular array of floats and entertainment.
The parade draws around 15,000 spectators and takes place in late February or early March, depending on the Chinese
lunar calendar. For the current year’s parade dates, times and events, please visit the Bok Kai Festival
website or see our
Events page.