On Sunday, April 6, Long Beach, California will host the 17th Annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival to celebrate Cambodian Heritage Month and the vibrant traditions of the Khmer community.

This year’s theme, “We Are Stronger When We Celebrate Together”, highlights the power of unity and the rich tapestry of cultures that come together to form the Cambodian-American community.

“This year the parade has a new route, starting with a traditional blessing on Anaheim Street, in front of MacArthur Park, followed by a parade along Anaheim Street and Alamitos Avenue and ending with our Culture Festival at Long Beach City College,” explained the organisers.

The event begins at 9am with interfaith benedictions at the corner of E. Anaheim St. and Orange Ave., creating a moment for reflection and connection.

The much-anticipated parade follows at 10am. It will feature meticulously crafted floats adorned with traditional Khmer attire, vibrant cultural symbols and parade marshals representing the diversity of Long Beach’s communities.

Dancers practice a traditional Khmer dance ahead of the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival. Supplied

The grand procession will wind its way through the streets to Long Beach City College TTC Campus, located at 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway.

From 1pm to 6pm, the Cultural Festival will take centre stage, showcasing the richness of Cambodia’s artistic and culinary heritage.

Attendees will find a bustling marketplace of handcrafts, performances and booths from multi-ethnic nonprofits and local businesses, with offerings reflecting the cultural fusion that defines Long Beach.

Special focus will be placed on Cambodian food, with a large temple booth offering a taste of the community's rich culinary traditions.

The festival’s entertainment lineup is a dynamic celebration of the diverse influences within the community.

Traditional Khmer classical and folk dances will share the stage with performances from Hmong, Filipino, South Asian, Hawaiian and African American artists, creating a multi-layered cultural experience.

The festival will also include participatory dance sessions, Kun Khmer boxing and live traditional folk music, ensuring fun and engagement for attendees of all ages.

Khmer folk-dance rehearsals, in preparation for the 17th Annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival. Supplied

"We will have over 70 booths displaying handicrafts, lots of food, including authentic Cambodian cuisine, and the best Cambodian entertainment, featuring classical dance, folk dance, ancient martial arts and popular music,” shared a promotional video.

“This year, we are stronger than ever as we celebrate together. So let's rise up and bring all your friends and family to celebrate the New Year and Cambodian heritage and unity. You don’t want to miss this — see you there!” it added.

The organisers noted that this year’s event will also honour the community leaders who have been instrumental in shaping Cambodia Town’s cultural legacy.

Grand marshals include former US Representative Alan Lowenthal and prominent Cambodian-American figures such as Rong Be, Chad Sammeth and Mary Kheng, whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the community.

After a brief hiatus, the return of the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival is a testament to the enduring spirit and unity of the Cambodian-American community in Long Beach, and a powerful opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn from and celebrate each other.

Long Beach's Cambodian American community — the largest Cambodian population outside of the Kingdom — celebrated the recognition of April as Cambodian Heritage Month in LA County. Supplied

Founded in 2007, Cambodia Town is a designated cultural and business district along Anaheim Street in Long Beach, California.

The district is home to a thriving Cambodian-American community, with numerous Cambodian-owned businesses, restaurants, shops and service centres that serve both local residents and visitors.

In addition to the Cambodia Town Parade and Festival, the district is known for hosting the Cambodia Town Film Festival, which celebrates the art and culture of Cambodia through a diverse selection of films.

For more details on participating in the parade, festival, or learning about other cultural events like the Cambodia Town Film Festival, please visit www.cambodiatown.org.

Traditional Khmer costumes and a cart take part in a previous Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival, in LA, the US. FB