The annual Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration welcomes the return of spring and chases out evil spirits with the traditional roaring lion dance and the crackle of firecrackers. It is the most celebrated holiday in Vietnam, and the preparations are meticulous.

Têt 2009 celebrates the theme of Youth and Dreams through exhibits, children's interactive arts and crafts, a musical program, Vietnamese food; and special this year, the Miss Washington competition. The brightly colored costumes, rhythmic music and traditional dance will tell the story of this deeply routed culture.

Safeco Insurance Festál: Têt Nguyên Đán Festival encourages participants to reflect on the past year and make plans for the arrival of the New Year, in 2009 represented by the dependable, calm, hard working and prosperous ox - a timely advent given the current state of the economy and need to hunker down.

Did you know? Safeco Insurance Festál 2009 focuses on individuals from cultures represented at our 22 festivals who have made an impression and impact on the world. Têt Festival highlights the achievements of Dr. Jane X. Luu, an acclaimed astronomer who emigrated from Vietnam to the United States in 1963. Dr. Luu helped discover the first Kuiper belt object, and asteroid 5430 Luu is named in her honor. After many years on faculty at Harvard and Leiden Universities, she left academia to join the technical staff at Lincoln Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Safeco Insurance Festál: Têt Nguyên Đán Festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with Têt in Seattle. For more information on Safeco Insurance Festál and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.

About Safeco Insurance Festál

Safeco Insurance Festál, presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of FREE events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Safeco Insurance Festál plays a vital part in efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.

This collection of 22 events is presented with the generous support of Safeco Insurance, Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio. Additional support is provided by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company, Seattle Center Fund and the City of Seattle.