Chinese New Year came to East Boston on Sunday with a performance by a lion dance troupe from the Boston Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club at the Hong Kong Harbor Restaurant in Maverick Square.

The lion dance marked the beginning of the year 4711 on the Chinese lunar calendar, which officially began on February 10.

The celebration was delayed by the blizzard that took place that weekend, said Joey Leung, a member of the lion dance troupe.

A lion turned to face the camera as restaurant owner Quan Duong, at left, prepared a table with items for the lions.

The lion dance is intended to ward off evil spirits, which Chinese custom says move in straight line and are confused by complex movements.

The lions also symbolically devour heads of lettuce, representing health and long life, and oranges, representing wealth.

Albert “Buddy” Mangini, a member of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Max Gruner, the new executive director of East Boston Main Streets, watched as the dance troupe prepared to begin their performance.

This is only the third year that the troupe from the Boston Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club has performed in East Boston, but the troupe is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2013.

Troupe member Joey Leung said it is the oldest lion dance team in Boston’s Chinatown.

The dancers continued to perform even as firecrackers exploded just inches away.

Following the performance, Hong Kong Harbor owner Quan Duong, standing behind the yellow lion, stood for a group photo with Albert “Buddy” Mangini, Max Gruner, and members of the lion dance troupe from the Boston Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club.

Armando Lopes, a 27-year East Boston resident and regular customer at Hong Kong Harbor, paused for a photo with owner Quan Duong.