By The Anaheim corridor between Junipero and Orange avenues was packed Saturday with people celebrating the Third Annual Cambodian New Year Parade and Celebration. An estimated crowd of 14,000 to 15,000 cheered as dignitaries and more than 106 parade entries traveled along the route to MacArthur Park.
PinThuy Tim, chairman of the Cambodian Association of America (CAA), said the parade has had more than double the amount of organizations participating in the event from last year, up to 106 from 46.
“I think the numbers will make our community proud that we can make something like this happen,” Tim said.
The city of Long Beach has the largest Cambodian community in the world outside of Cambodia. Plans are currently under review to name this section of east Anaheim Street “Cambodia Town.”
Suja Lowenthal, one of several grand marshals and the Second District representative on the Long Beach City Council, introduced the measure last year to rename the area. She said a council committee is studying exactly where to designate the Cambodian concentration of the community and businesses.
“This year, Anaheim Street. Next year, Cambodia Town,” Lowenthal said to the crowd.
The visitors at MacArthur Park were treated to a variety of dancing and live music, with many clubs and organizations wearing traditional Cambodian clothing.
Long Beach Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal, who is also the First District representative, said the thousands who turned out for the event showed the strength of the Cambodian community.
“The city recognizes that we are very fortunate to have the largest Cambodian community outside of Cambodia,” she said.
Uduak Ntuk, a Cal State Long Beach alumnus, came to support his daughter, who participates at the Khmer Arts Cultural Center.
“My daughter is mixed–African-American and Cambodian–so we want her to experience both cultures. Having her participate in events like this is good exposure to her Cambodian heritage,” Ntuk said.
Another CSULB alumna, Naomi Rainy, current president of the Long Beach Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is a former principal. Many of her students were from the Cambodian community.
“We always talk about how diverse the city of Long Beach is, but being involved with other cultures and communities is how we make that slogan about our city become a reality,” Rainy said.
Long Beach resident Elaine Sam, who attended with her two children and several nieces and nephews, said she was proud to see so many young people participating. She liked the idea of naming the area “Little Cambodia” because of the high volume of Cambodian businesses “and definitely the most culture,” she said.
Tim said the Cambodian community in Long Beach began growing in earnest in the early 1980s, with many coming to Long Beach after surviving the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge that killed nearly two million people–roughly 25 percent of the Cambodian population.
“Economically, we are a landmark for Cambodians. If people want to buy, they come to Long Beach. We are the focal point of the Cambodian community,” Tim said.
The event was organized by the Cambodian Coordinating Council and will continue with a second portion of the communitywide celebration at El Dorado Park on April 21 to commemorate the Year of the Pig.
For more info about event, visit www.cam-cc.org.
