SAUGUS — A line formed outside the Kowloon Restaurant Thursday night as people waited to be let into the iconic restaurant’s 75th anniversary party.
Cars were guided through the parking lot, and a shuttle rotated through as more gathered in celebration.
The outdoor venue was decorated with hanging lanterns and twinkling bulbs. A giant panda set the mood as it danced along to the music flowing through the venue and stopped for pictures.
The stage was set for action, awaiting its three acts: Scott Brown and the Diplomats, Tavares, and Starship. A fully stocked buffet and bar were also prepped for VIPs.
Among the mass of people, the Wong family was diligently moving about, greeting people, helping guests find seats, and making sure everything was running smoothly.
Stanley Wong stopped for a moment to speak with The Daily Item about their anniversary.
“It is a huge milestone. We’re just so fortunate with all the support and loyalty from everybody. I mean if it wasn’t for my father and mother… We have to carry on that legacy for them,” he said.
Stanley Wong told The Daily Item the restaurant has been prepping for the celebration for around two to three months.
“The milestone that we have reached — these 75 years — it has been wonderful. All the employees, all the customers, all the sponsors, and everybody who has supported us for 75 years — we have been very fortunate,” he said.
Even after all of these years, he said chicken fried rice is still his favorite food they serve.
As the night continued, Scott Brown and the Diplomats hit the stage, covering songs like “Shipping up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys and “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin.
Kate O’Donnell, president of the Joey Fund, took to the mic after the first band to thank the Wongs for their continued support. The proceeds from the event and the raffle went directly to the Joey Fund. All of the money raised is in the hope of finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
When O’Donnell left the stage, the Wong family was introduced.
“We are truly thankful for the mutual trust and respect that we share and for your unwavering support. Thank you to our dedicated and hardworking staff, past and present,” Donald Wong said. “Some of you represent three generations of working here. Others have been here for 50 years. You have truly become family. You are also the heart and soul of our restaurant, and I thank everyone very much for being here.”
After Donald Wong, Lisa Wong spoke, saying that the Kowloon wasn’t just a business.
“It’s our family’s legacy. A living album of our lives. … What a wonderful gift for us six children to come to work and have time together with each other, and especially with our dad and mom,” Lisa Wong said. “Thank you all for joining us in honoring our dad and mom’s legacy, Kowloon, a place for loved ones, including ourselves, to gather and create more memories and great food.”
As the night wound down, Tavares and Starship lit up the stage. The crowd gathered around to dance the night away and enjoy the music, celebrating an iconic family and a restaurant that has left a lasting impact on Saugus.
