Many years ago, in the dreamtime of the Chinese people, the Jade Emperor decided to celebrate his birthday with a contest among all the animals of the world.

They would swim across the fastest flowing river in China and the first 12 to reach the farther bank would be rewarded with his name on a year in the zodiac.

Thus the rat, who hitched a ride on the back of the water buffalo (or ox), won and became the first year of the cycle. The dog finished 11th, next to last.

It was the Year of the Dog that the Asian community celebrated Sunday at North Quincy High School with a record crowd of 4,000 at the 18th annual Quincy Lunar New Year Festival.

"We're really excited by the strong interest of the Asians and non-Asians who attended the festival," said John Brothers, executive director of the sponsoring Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI). "The crowd was more than double any past crowd."

He said there were 1,500 at last year's festival and only 600 the year before that.

"We're particularly pleased with the large turn-out of non-Asians," he said.

"The leadership of the Asian community from the kids at North Quincy High School to the professionals really came together to make this happen."

Tackey Chan, treasurer of QARI, which took over sponsorship four years ago, gave a lot of credit to the high school students.

"The high school kids never had a chance to be involved before," he said. "They flourished this year."

"They were given a chance to be a part of it and they worked hard at it. There was a sense of enthusiasm, of being part of something."

There was a little something for everyone from the traditional Lion Dance, performed by the Shao Lin Hung Gar Martial Arts Academy of Boston, to a Friendship Forever Chrous by Zhu Shi Gong and the audience.

There was also a Cambodian Dance by the Angkor Dance Troupe, a Filipino Dance by Dance Philippines Performing Arts, drumming by the Samurai Yaiko/Academy of Kobudo, and an Indian Dance by Eastern Rhythyms.

The color red and loud noises predominated since it was those sights and sounds that frightened away "Nian," the legendary man-eating beast, an event that led to the first celebration of the Chinese New Year.

According to Chinese records, the celebration has gone on since the year 2000 BC, based on the lunar cycle rather than the solar cycle of the West. The current Year of the Dog began Jan. 29, touching off 15 days of festivity.

Animals in the Chinese zodiac take on the characteristics of people, too. The Dog is noble and true, a loyal and faithful friend and a keeper of secrets. The Dog is an enemy of all that is unjust.

Some notable dogs of recent years have included: Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Madonna and Rodney Dangerfield.

Next year will be the year of the boar, the 12th arrival on the far bank of the stream and the last to qualify for the Jade Emperor's zodiac.