The Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington got an early start Saturday to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year.

The event celebrated Asian culture and history.

"We're saying goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and hello to the Year of the Rabbit," said Heckscher Museum CEO Heather Arnet.

Sunday will mark Chinese Lunar New Year on the lunisolar calendar and the museum and the Huntington Asian American Task Force used the holiday as a way to teach about Asian culture.

"The more we learn about another culture, the more we understand them and hate lowers," said the Task Force's Patricia Shih.

Lucas Flores, 10, said he and his friends learned quite a lot. They were impressed with the traditional Asian musical instruments.

"In the show, the instruments going back and forth. I've never seen that instrument, so it was really cool to hear," Flores said. "And the art here is amazing. It's a fun day of art and it's a fun family day."

There was also origami, or the art of paper folding, lessons as well for the young and young at heart.

"It's therapeutic and relaxing. The only drawback is I get paper cuts but it's worth the effort, it's great to pass on this art to young children," said Hansen Lee, of the Huntington Asian-American Task Force.

Organizers hope children took home some more knowledge of Asian culture and learn to celebrate everyone's history and art.

"It's important that we celebrate all different cultures and we learn more about them, not just their celebrations," Shih added.

Although Hecksher's celebration was on Saturday, there are other events scheduled around the world this weekend to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.