When a Bangor-area school called up Sing’s Polynesian Restaurant in the early 1990s, asking if someone could show the traditional Chinese lion dance to students for the Lunar New Year, Steve Wong decided to answer the call.

“At that point, they were looking for something Chinese,” said Wong, now 76, of Bangor. “And back then, there were only two Chinese restaurants.” 

Donning a Chinese lion dancing costume he borrowed from his aunt, who operated Sing’s, Wong performed the halting yet nimble steps of the traditional dance for students. Back then and today, students marveled at the lion costume’s fluttering eyes, brightly painted mouth and shimmering body trimmed in fur. 

Wong’s been lion dancing and sharing Chinese culture in Maine for over three decades since. 

Bringing the tradition to dozens of schools, cultural events, weddings and restaurant openings across the state has slowly become a family affair. Inside the bustling gym of the Westbrook Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Wong’s son and two of his grandchildren assisted him in performing the lion dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration presented by the Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine. 

Between Tai Chi demonstrations, calligraphy crafts and tables of vendors in the gym, Wong’s son Rodger Wong, 41, placed the papier-mâché head over his own. A red strap went under his chin: nodding makes the lion’s ears flap. Pulling the red strings near the bamboo scaffolding inside the head makes the lion’s pink eyes flutter their white fur lashes. 

Wong’s grandson Nathaniel Wong, 13, ducked under the silver fabric to make up the back of the lion. Wong beat two drums – which he made himself from deer and moose hide – while his other grandchild Penny Wong, 12, rang cymbals to the beat. All attendees turned as the lion made its way around the room, prowling rhythmically and stopping only to let a brave 4-year-old pet its snout. 

In between dances designed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity, the lion costume sits on Wong’s table for the public to approach. Rodger Wong lowered the head onto brothers Lucian and Arthur Byron, 4 and 6. They smiled from inside the gaping mouth of the ornate silver creature, their little snow boots peeking out from under its theatrical face.

While other kids their age were scared of the costume’s countenance, Arthur called it “cute.” 

Their grandfather, Scott Lamson, of Raymond, took a photo of the boys before they ran back over in their matching traditional red shirts. Lucian and Arthur’s family brought them to the March 1 to learn more about their Chinese heritage, as their mother was born and raised in China. 

“We’re a melting pot,” said Lamson, 59. “We all need to get out of our own culture and go experience someone else’s.” 

Wong’s grandfather immigrated to Bangor from China in the 1930s, his story briefly noted in a new book about Chinese Americans in Maine presented at the Sunday event. Wong’s father shared stories with him about high school classmates who refused to be friends with him because of his ethnicity. His own children have shared anecdotes of discrimination growing up in Maine, Wong said. That is why he’s volunteered to bring the lion’s dance into local schools for almost half his life. 

“The more I can explain the culture, the more they’re not afraid of someone who looks like me,” Wong said. 

After over three decades of donning the lion costume for the community, age has taken its toll on Wong’s body. He has decided this is his last year performing the dance. 

Wong will continue to direct his family members in the dance and play the rhythms that keep it going, he said. While being around the dancing lion predates their earliest memories, in recent years Wong’s grandchildren have started helping out with the lion dance performances. 

“I don’t like the back,” said Nathaniel. “You have to crouch.” 

The days in the tail, following their grandfather and parents, are numbered for the youngest generation of Wongs. 

“You’re going to eventually learn, because I’m not going to be around forever,” said Wong.

One day soon, the third generation of Wong family dancers will step under the lion’s head themselves, leading the dance across Maine.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on March 2 to correct which family member told Steve Wong they were discriminated against in high school.