CCACC Youth Dragon Team Shined at the Rockville Memorial Day Parade

The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) Youth Dragon Team participated in the 81st City of Rockville Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, delivering an impressive performance. Their appearance was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience along the route, bringing vibrant youthful energy and rich cultural color to the event.

Showcase traditional Chinese culture

The CCACC Youth Dragon Team is composed of middle and high school students from Montgomery County. Through dragon dance training, they showcase traditional Chinese culture. For this event, the team members wore traditional dragon dance costumes in gold and red, standing out under the bright sun and becoming a highlight of the parade. Accompanying parents also dressed in traditional Chinese ethnic attire, enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the entire team.

The parade began at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Rockville, drawing thousands of local residents to line the streets and watch. As the sound of drums filled the air, the dragon team energetically performed their dragon dance, with the dragon's body rhythmically twisting and turning, full of vitality and strength. The children also interacted with the crowd, spreading joy and excitement. Along the route, the team had a heartwarming encounter with several seniors from the CCACC Adult Day Healthcare Center and the Evergreen Club, who came out specifically to cheer on the kids. Their warm encouragement and familiar smiles made the scene even more touching. For the children, this was more than just a cultural performance—it was a meaningful exchange across generations.

Demonstrate remarkable endurance and team spirit

Despite the hot weather and a parade route over two kilometers long, the children persisted and completed the entire parade in their best form, demonstrating remarkable endurance and team spirit. One moved parent remarked,  "Seeing them sweat but still smiling made me so proud! They served the community, challenged themselves, and grew through this experience!"

CCACC has long been committed to promoting Chinese culture, and the Youth Dragon Team is a prime example of this mission in action. Through participation in major community events, the children not only help pass on Chinese traditions but also develop a sense of responsibility and confidence. CCACC will continue to provide a platform for cultural expression and personal growth for the next generation, ensuring that the dragon team shines on even more stages. More youth are welcome to join the CCACC Youth Dragon Team.

For more information or to join, please visit the CCACC website at https://www.ccacc-dc.org or email Doris Zhao at Doris.Zhao@ccacc-dc.org.
If you would like to view the video, please click here.

(Article and photos by the CCACC Community Services)

The CCACC Youth Dragon Team posed for a photo before setting off.  In the front row, Chiao-chiao Liu (third from the left), Director of the CCACC Community Services, and Doris Zhao (second from the right), Administrative Specialist.

The CCACC Youth Dragon Dance Team was geared up and ready to go.

Under the blazing sun, the CCACC Youth Dragon Dance Team performed with great energy, as the golden dragon soared and undulated.