Cambodian culture will be celebrated at two day festival
{Contributed photo/Veronica Tim}
April is Cambodian Heritage Month. For more than a decade, the celebration of the Cambodian new year culminates in Davidson County with a festival that organizers estimate will reach more than 10,000 through events on April 22 and 23 at 235 Cambodian Cultural Center Road, Lexington.
Admission is free. All are welcome.
The Cambodian New Year Festival is an international tradition that honors the official end of the harvest season in Cambodia and the commencement of the rainy season. According to the Cambodian Cultural Center, the holiday is also known as “Chol Chnam Thmey,” meaning "Enter New Year."
Attendees can enjoy food trucks, raffles, traditional cultural games and live performances of the Robam Khbach Boran (a traditional Cambodian ballet).
Veronica Tim has served for several years as one of the local organizers along with her husband Chris who was recently promoted to Chief Probation and Parole Officer. The couple added they are proud to represent Cambodian heritage at the festival and within the local community. “Davidson County has a growing Cambodian population,” Veronica noted. “People come from all over. We have a saying in Cambodian culture…it came from a song that means ‘Time to Rise.’”
Tim said this year’s two-day outdoor festival will be similar to years past. Saturday will begin at 12:30 pm followed by an evening “after party.” Organizers expect a larger crowd on Sunday, which typically includes a more ceremonial celebration.
Local owner of Red Donuts, Saro Vay, shared that his family is looking forward to the celebration. This year his family is opting to take in the sights and sounds as participants rather than vendors. “It’s only once a year,” Vay offered. The local business owner born in the United States has traveled to Cambodia on several occasions. Saro’s father, Saroeung Vay, founded the Buddhist Temple in the 1990s to honor their faith and provide an opportunity for fellowship and to preserve aspects of the culture. “So many of us are a little more Americanized, so this is important for Cambodian families.”
Lawn chairs and mats are encouraged.
For more information about the festival, visit!
