Chinese light display captivates crowds in Milwaukee

Elaborate light displays from China are luring thousands of people to Boerner Botanical Gardens in a suburb of Milwaukee.

This 200-foot lighted dragon is part of the China Lights display at the Boerner Botanical Gardens in the Milwaukee suburb of Hales Corners. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Milwaukee was one of only 100 cities around the world chosen to host the traveling light show called "China Lights" as part of a five-year campaign developed by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce to promote cultural exchange.

During October, visitors can experience 40 larger-than-life sculptural lantern displays in the gardens, including a 200-foot-long dragon.

Boerner Botanical Gardens, located in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, is an internationally renowned horticultural showplace that is managed by the Milwaukee County Parks Department.

Shirley Walczak, the director of Boerner, said China Lights is not only bringing attention to the gardens but also showcases Milwaukee's growing Chinese community.

"We see this as an opportunity to market the gardens and also to build awareness of the local Chinese community," she said. "We have been averaging about 2,000 to 3,000 a night during the week and double that on Friday and Saturday nights."

Tony Lam is an accountant who immigrated to Milwaukee in 1974. "China Lights is very significant for the Chinese community here," he said, adding that early Chinese immigration to Milwaukee was driven by those seeking employment in the restaurant industry — including him.

"I came here and worked in restaurants before attending school and becoming an accountant," he said. "Over the last few years we are seeing more professionals come here and not just from China but from other areas as well.

Lam said many Chinese are attracted to Milwaukee because of its colleges like Marquette University.

"I feel that the Milwaukee area is very open and that people in the Midwest are very friendly," said Lam.

According to a demographic report from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce in 2013, the metro area had a population of about 1.5 million and a little over 51,000 were of Asian descent.

In addition to the light displays, Asian food and crafts are also part of the program. This past weekend acrobats staged a Moon Festival celebration.

"Next weekend we will have a cultural weekend built around tea from Rishi Tea,' said Walczak.

China Lights is open Tuesday through Sunday and concludes on Oct 30, said Walczak.