From Montana’s earliest boomtowns and mining camps, Chinese residents were a visible and vital part of frontier life. Living far from home and facing regular hostility from anti-Chinese groups, these communities turned to familiar religious and cultural traditions for strength and belonging. This talk explores the history of Chinese New Year celebrations in Montana, revealing how parades, feasts, fireworks, and ritual gatherings helped Chinese Montanans maintain cultural continuity in an often-unwelcoming place. More than moments of celebration, Chinese New Year observances became powerful statements of perseverance, community, and identity on the Montana frontier. Join Johnson for this talk at the Butte Silver Bow Public Archives.