This week the Chinese are celebrating their Communist Party’s 90th by buying it a sentimental birthday card, taking it out to Shoney’s for the breakfast buffet, then swinging by J.C. Penney to get it a nice new cardigan sweater and some comfortable slippers.

Okay, not really. Actually, on Friday China’s holding a gigantic bash in Beijing that includes synchronized dancing, patriotic films, lots of socialist realist imagery, and at least one supersized peanut prop. Check out these pics for a taste of what’s to come.