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Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival

From KhmerConnection
Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival
Common nameCTPCF
TypeArts and culture
Focus areasCambodian New Year parade, culture festival, Long Beach, Cambodia Town
SubjectsCelebrations & Life Passages; Dance & Theatre; Community & Civic Life
CityLong Beach
State / provinceCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Headquarters countryUnited States
Founded2005
WebsiteWebsite
Impact geographyLong Beach, California
Operating statusactive

The Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival (CTPCF) is an annual celebration of the Cambodian New Year held along Anaheim Street in the Cambodia Town district of Long Beach, California. It combines a street parade with a daylong culture festival and is organized by Cambodia Town Inc. The first Cambodian New Year Parade took place on April 24, 2005, and the parade and festival have run under the CTPCF name since 2019. (Cambodia Town, Parade and Culture Festival; Cambodia Town, Inc.)

History

The first parade, on April 24, 2005, carried the theme "Don't Forget the Past and Embrace the Future". The 2005 and 2006 parades were coordinated by the Cambodian New Year Parade Association, and the parade was then run by the Cambodian Coordinating Council from 2007 to 2019. (Cambodia Town, Parade and Culture Festival)

The parade and festival as known today began in 2009, when California State University, Dominguez Hills developed an exhibition of Cambodian arts and handicrafts with Cambodia Town. (AsAmNews (April 10, 2024))

Cambodia Town, Inc. was formed as a nonprofit on November 4, 2005, by members of the Cambodia Town Initiative Task Force and the wider community. Its founding members were Evan A. Braude, Sandy Cajas, Meng Kim Chea, Pasin Chanou, Rosana Chanou, Al Day, Chhim Him, Krithny Horn, Sakphan Keam, Harrison Lee, Peter Long, Dr. Susan Needham, Richer San, Sithea San, Tony Taing, Edward Tan, Phillip Thong and Danny Vong. (Cambodia Town, History)

When the Cambodian Coordinating Council stopped hosting its New Year project in 2019, Cambodia Town took over the parade and combined it with its culture festival as the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival. (Cambodia Town, Parade and Culture Festival)

During the COVID-19 pandemic the event moved online, with a virtual edition on September 27, 2020, and another on April 24, 2021. In-person celebrations returned, and the 15th annual event on April 2, 2023, drew thousands to a one-mile stretch of Anaheim Street. (Cambodia Town, Parade and Culture Festival; Press-Telegram (April 3, 2023))

Recent editions

Programs and activities

The day begins with a traditional interfaith blessing on Anaheim Street. The parade features classical and folk dancers, community organizations, marching bands, floats and dignitaries. The culture festival that follows offers live performances by Cambodian and local artists, Khmer artisans and handicrafts, Cambodian food vendors, family games, and demonstrations of traditional Khmer martial arts such as labokator. (Long Beach Local News (April 7, 2025); Phnom Penh Post (April 4, 2025); Press-Telegram (April 7, 2024))

Begun in 2005, it was the first Cambodian parade held outside Cambodia, and it is held as a celebration of Cambodian Heritage Month in April. (Visit Long Beach, annual events listing; AsAmNews (April 10, 2024); Phnom Penh Post (April 4, 2025))

Contact and participation

See also

Sources

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