{"id":252227,"date":"2026-04-04T23:46:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T23:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/252227\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T23:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T23:46:15","slug":"hundreds-converge-along-long-beach-streets-for-18th-annual-cambodian-parade-festival-press-telegram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/252227\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds converge along Long Beach streets for 18th annual Cambodian parade, festival \u2013 Press Telegram"},"content":{"rendered":"

Khmer traditions, music, dance and cuisine were on full display at the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival on Saturday, April 4, in Long Beach.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Children<\/p>\n

Children serve lemonade as the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The18th<\/p>\n

The18th annual Cambodia Town Parade kicks off with confetti poppers on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From right, mayor Rex Richardson and his wife Dr. Nina Nieves Richardson participate in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the Cambodian Association of America participate in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade as it travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From right, Richenny Bovannak helps her sister Richtevy Bovannak with her headpiece during the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Eleven-year-old<\/p>\n

Eleven-year-old Jorani Ros watches as the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Buddhist<\/p>\n

Buddhist monks lead a prayer during the opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of TCC Family Health walk in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Hmong Association of Long Beach performs during the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade as it travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the Cambodian Association of America wave to attendees of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 14<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Hundreds of people converged along city streets to celebrate the Southeast Asian country\u2019s new year, culture and heritage.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme, \u201cPeace Through Culture: Celebrating Unity Through Diversity,\u201d offered a reminder that Long Beach is stronger when its many parts come together, organizers said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s theme speaks to the heart of who we are,\u201d Sithea San, chair of Cambodia Town, which organizes the event each year, said during opening remarks. \u201cIt honors the resilience of the Cambodian community, our shared heritage and the beautiful tapestry of culture, and that makes Long Beach one of the most vibrant cities in America.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor over 18 years, Cambodia Town has stood as a beacon of Khmer heritage, the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia, and the first Cambodia Town on Google Maps \u2013 I mention that every year,\u201d San said. \u201cToday, we celebrate our culture, unity and strength that binds us together.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event kicked off with remarks from local elected officials and an interfaith program and traditional blessing. The crowd of people continued to grow, many wearing traditional Cambodian attire, as they got closer to watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a treat to come out every single year to celebrate with our dedicated Cambodian community,\u201d said Mayor Rex Richardson during the event.<\/p>\n

Officials also announced that the city has a final concept of the Cambodian Town gateway entrance, which will be installed near MacArthur Park, before the 2028 Summer Olympics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make sure that we know in unity that we advocate not just for our neighbors here in Long Beach but for peace across the United States and around the world, including Cambodia,\u201d Councilmember Suely Saro said. \u201cOur voice does not stop at our borders, we stand in solidarity with those seeking peace and justice, dignity and freedom everywhere. This is how Cambodia Town has grown to what it is today, and that is how we will continue to move forward \u2013 in unity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The parade began at the intersection of Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue and traveled through the heart of Cambodia Town \u2013 a roughly one-mile stretch of Anaheim Street between Atlantic and Junipero avenues.<\/p>\n

The parade showcased traditional Khmer dance, music, costumes and community floats. The final destination for hundreds was Long Beach City College\u2019s Trades, Technology and Community Learning Campus, where the Culture Festival got underway.<\/p>\n

For Christina Sem, 36, from Oakland, it was her first time participating in the parade. She wore a Cambodian silk fabric, and a scarf with a Romduol \u2014 the national flower of Cambodia with deep ties to Khmer heritage and ancient temple culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing Chhayan, a traditional Khmer musical dance,\u201d she said, who brought her two sons and fianc\u00e9 to be part of the parade as well. \u201cIt\u2019s my first time and I want them to experience it as well, and to actually know the culture. Because I feel like as of right now, our culture is fading and I want the next generation to keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some revelers, this was their first time at the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival, for others this event has become a family tradition.<\/p>\n

Julie Duch, 34, from Los Angeles, wore her Cambodian traditional wear to attend the parade for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s never something that I was able to do as a child, so it actually feels really nice to reconnect with my culture by doing something like this,\u201d Duch said. \u201cI\u2019m proud and happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something about Cambodian culture that Duch said more people should know about is how hospitable Cambodians are.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky to visit Cambodia recently for the first time and everyone there is just so welcoming,\u201d she said. \u201cThey literally treat you like family and I think that\u2019s one of the biggest things about our culture is that immediately your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cambodian and entire Long Beach community coming together is one of the things that Sao Chan Kry, 43, from Long Beach, looks forward to every year.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong Beach is a melting pot,\u201d Chan Kry said. \u201cI recommend others to share our culture, get to know our culture, and understand why we\u2019re here, because we\u2019re the second largest Cambodian community outside of our homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n

People attending the festival had the opportunity to learn more about Cambodian art and cuisine, as well as watch live performances, from dances to singers.<\/p>\n

Long Beach resident Kim Sin, 33, said her favorite part about the parade and festival is getting to see everyone come together to celebrate Cambodian New Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of nice to have this to highlight our culture,\u201d Sin said. \u201cI feel like Cambodians are not as known compared to other Southeast Asian countries, so it\u2019s nice to be able to have a place to celebrate our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sin recommends that everyone come out to the event that is cherished year after year.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can get a feel of our community, not just Cambodian New Year but Long Beach as a whole and its diversity,\u201d she said. \u201cIf anybody does decide to come out, there\u2019s always a place for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Khmer traditions, music, dance and cuisine were on full display at the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":252228,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[7,584,23,131,133,132,137],"class_list":{"0":"post-252227","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-long-beach","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-events","10":"tag-local-news","11":"tag-long-beach","12":"tag-long-beach-headlines","13":"tag-long-beach-news","14":"tag-los-angeles-county"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=252227"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/252227\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/252228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=252227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=252227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=252227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}