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.