BENDIGO’s iconic heritage-listed dragon Loong is coming out of retirement.The 120-year-old Imperial dragon was last seen on Bendigo streets in 2001 for the Easter Parade, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the Golden Dragon Museum. He will be woken from an 11-year slumber on January 28 for the Chinese New Year and the start of the year of the dragon. “In 1970, he was retired,” Golden Dragon Museum’s Eugene Law said.“This could be the last opportunity Loong gets to go out onto the street.”Mr Law said he hoped Loong’s awakening would encourage people to take part in Chinese New Year celebrations later this month.“They cannot be built like him anymore – it is a lost craft,” he said.“Last year there was a reported 2000 people that attended to see Yar Loong, the night dragon.“This year it will be not only him, but this old boy (Loong) will be making an appearance.“We have got a lot of people who are going to travel into town to see him.“Coming back for this event will spark people’s memories.”The Chinese community started raising money in 1857 to purchase Loong. He took to Bendigo’s streets for the first time in the 1892 Easter festival parade.Loong is the oldest Imperial dragon in the world.“These kinds of dragons are not around any more,” Mr Law said.“Imperial dragons were destroyed during the cultural revolution.”The smell of Chinese food will waft from Dai Gum San as Chinese New Year celebrations take hold on January 28.Two stages will feature fire breathing, stilt walkers, lion dancers, dragon dancing and martial arts demonstrations.Loong will parade through the streets, with people paying for the honour of carrying him.It takes 22 people to make Loong move, with up to 40 people required to help him parade.The money will go towards the Bendigo Health Foundation and the celebration’s organisers hope to raise $40,000.Richard Guy will be among the people carrying Loong.His father, Allen, recognised the need to retire Loong in the late 1960s and helped form the Loong 100 Committee.“When I heard about this opportunity, I wanted to be a part of it to continue the Guy family tradition with the dragon,” Mr Guy said.“And also to support Russell Jack alongside the Golden Dragon Museum as they have done so much for the Chinese culture in Bendigo.”