CCACC Participated in Montgomery County's AAPI Heritage Month Celebration

Several months ago, the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnership (OCP) and the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) jointly invited various Asian organizations in the Greater Washington area to collaborate on planning the 4th Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration, held on May 4. More than a dozen groups participated, representing a rich diversity of communities including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Thai, and Nepali. All participating organizations brought great enthusiasm and dedication to the event planning. The celebration featured a vibrant array of activities, including cultural performances, children's choir, crafts, food tastings, health services, prize raffles, and interactive games.

A Lively Event Atmosphere

On the day of the event, the venue at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown began bustling with activity at 10 a.m. as participating groups set up their booths. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy. The celebration officially kicked off at 11 a.m. with a children's choir performance of "It's a Small World." Children from various ethnic backgrounds captivated the audience under the direction of 16-year-old Chloe Du, Music Director of the CAPA Seeds Club—recommended by the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC). She led nearly 40 children in a performance that was smooth and well-received, earning praise from all in attendance.

Following the performance, a number of distinguished guests delivered speeches, including Christina Poy, Executive Director of the Maryland Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; State Delegate Lily Qi; and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. They expressed their support for the community and thanked everyone for their participation. As representatives from each organization gathered for group photos with the County Executive, Yi Shen, OCP's Asian Liaison and one of the event organizers, invited everyone on stage with a booming voice—further energizing the already lively venue.

CCACC's Cultural Showcases

The cultural performances that followed were just as spectacular. CCACC thoughtfully organized four cultural presentations by the following groups:

· First was a themed qipao show titled "Guan Guan Ju Jiu" (from the Book of Songs), presented by the Greater Washington Qipao Fashion Art Troupe. This performance elegantly fused classical poetry with modern stage art, offering a feast of Eastern aesthetics.

· The Martial Arts Health Dance Society of Greater Washington of the CCACC Evergreen Club, led by instructor Josephine Tao, performed "Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan," a unique fitness routine that integrates tai chi, martial arts, opera, and dance.

· The Li Rong Sisters of the CCACC Evergreen Club performed a duet of the Taiwanese campus folk classic "Grandma's Penghu Bay," evoking heartfelt nostalgia among the audience.

· A classical dance troupe concluded with a graceful interpretation of "Apricot Blossoms Fall," portraying the serene harmony between humanity and nature.

CCACC Service Booths Are Popular

In addition to the performances, the CCACC Community Services' booth was a major attraction, particularly its well-prepared prize wheel raffle, which drew large crowds. An estimated 60 hand-painted folding fans featuring floral and bird designs—created by instructors from the Evergreen Calligraphy and Painting Class—were given away and highly coveted by attendees. The CCACC Health Center also joined the celebration, offering wellness-related giveaways along with free health consultations and screenings—truly a generous display of community care.

The event concluded successfully at 4 p.m., having drawn over a thousand attendees. In appreciation, the organizers presented the CCACC Community Services with a certificate of appreciation. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for their selfless dedication. It is your unwavering support that made this cultural celebration a success, and it strengthens our resolve to continue advancing community development.

(Article and photos by CCACC Community Services)

Children from CCACC participated in the "It's a Small World" chorus.