Deborah Braden, of Butler, writes her name in cursive to receive a handwriting analysis at the Lunar New Year celebration Friday at the Maridon Museum in Butler. Molly Miller/ Butler Eagle

The Maridon Museum’s Lunar New Year celebration proved a red-letter event where conversation and culture flowed Friday night.

Supporters of the museum and members of the community gathered to celebrate and learn more about the Lunar New Year, which is a 15-day celebration in Asian culture.

This year is the year of the rabbit. Roxann Booser, executive director of the museum, said the rabbit is connected to the element of water and represents peace, patience and luck.

“This is a very family-oriented holiday. They light lanterns, have sweets ... red is the most popular color during this time in Asian culture,” she said.

“I think it’s amazing and elegant,” said Fawn Chang, who teaches at the Maridon. “Coming down the street, I could hear the music. It was wonderful.”

Festivities included a scavenger hunt, where attendees could scour the exhibits for 14 rabbits in order to win a prize, food and music, and a handwriting analysis activity.

“(Handwriting analysis), though not strictly an Asian tradition, it’s telling us something about ourselves (in the same way) the zodiac or the 12 animals of the lunar cycle does,” she said.

Guests were mesmerized by Paul Dau, who asked them to write a sentence and their name in cursive before interpreting their letters into personality traits.

Mike and Amy Dittman admire displays during the 2023 Lunar New Year celebration Friday at the Maridon Museum in Butler. Molly Miller/Butler Eagle

Deborah Braden, who said she frequents the Maridon, said Dau was spot on in his interpretation of her.

“As soon as we heard handwriting analysis was happening, we knew we had to be here,” she said. “(The Maridon) is a special place for us. (My husband and I) were married here; we were the first and only wedding here, and it was beautiful.”

Despite attending the Lunar New Year celebration before, Braden said it was just as exciting as in previous years.

“I love the atmosphere and feel of the museum. I could walk through it once a week and still see something new each time,” she said.

Carole Fruehstolfer, a tour guide at the museum, said she’s volunteered since it opened and was happy to attend the celebration.

“It’s so nice to see everyone, a lot of people don’t know this is here,” she said. “Butler is lucky to have something like this.”