Every spring Luong Kang wakes up from his year-long sleep and marches down Marysville’s main street ready to ward away evil spirits. Many people, some even from as far away as Mexico and Canada, greet him. He’s not that hard to miss. Just look for the 150-foot golden dragon.
On March 12 and 13, the 125th Annual Bok Kai festival was celebrated in downtown Marysville. Those who are unfamiliar with the name may have a confused look on their faces when told about the festival. But if you have lived in the Marysville area for any length of time, “Bok Kai” is a common name.
Who this is Bok Kai, and why is he here in Marysville?
“Bok Kai is the main deity, who controls the flooding and can banish evil.” explained Keith Bogt, one of the temple’s volunteer caretakers.
During 1850 and 1900 the Marysville Chinese population in the northern Sacramento valley was so large that at times it ranked second only to San Francisco. Most of Marysville’s Chinese population was part of the Chinese workers from the mines and on the railroads.
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