The Cambodian New Year Festival came back to White Center on April 30 taking place on the block between 15th and 16th s.w. on 98th Street s.w.

Sopha Danh served as the host for the event. 22 booths offering food, information and neighborhood interaction and goods for sale plus cultural dances, music, poetry and performances and demonstrations rounded out the event. Danh said, "This is the work of many dedicated individuals and everyone had a hand in making this event possible--no single person was in charge, it was a collective effort. Many core members and volunteers helped to engage the audience and attendees and helped to make the smooth flow of the event possible."

Included in the program were traditional dances, lots of music and a banana eating contest.

The festival is the work of the Cambodian Cultural Alliance of Washington (CCAW), a locally founded and locally based organization in White Center.

"Our mission is to create opportunities for diverse communities to understand and appreciate traditional Cambodian art through events and other cultural activities. Our goal is to provide learning opportunities for youths about traditional Cambodian arts and culture. Our vision is to foster unity and generate interest in showcasing traditional arts and culture of Cambodia."

In addition to grants, the festival is made possible with sponsorships and donations from local businesses and individuals.

This festival is a celebration of the Cambodian New Year and to showcases one of the many unique cultures in White Center.