LYNN—On Saturday, the Kakrona Center Inc. held its annual Khmer New Year Celebration, filling Lynn Common with performances, music, games, vendors, food trucks and a parade.

Before the performances started there was a moment of silence for Cambodian Americans as the national anthem played. Cambodian veterans also held out the flags. 

Johnson Mao, the Secretary of Kakrona Center Inc., the company that runs the event, was the MC at the celebration. Mao spoke about the origins of the event and thanked all of those who have made it possible to keep it running.

Mao said that the first celebration happened in 2011 and that there would be a blessing dance to “have a great life and prosperity.” 

“It’s great for the next generation to see,” Mao said after they had ended. 

The event itself was packed, attracting people from all over the country. Within the first few hours, the headcount had already hit 800. 

“The festival brought people from Rhode Island, Florida, Louisiana, California, Connecticut, and many other states,” Mao said. 

It was also noted that this year, they made history with 35 Buddhist monks from Lynn, Revere, Amherst, Fall River and Rhode Island, the largest amount of monks that came to the event in the event’s history.

Students from Lynn English High School were also recognized at the event for all the help and care they put in by volunteering that day from 8 to 5 p.m., setting up tables, tents, and chairs, and cleaning up the whole park after the event.

Sophia Ouen, a junior at Lynn English, had been the student to reach out and had the idea to set up an “information booth” to help bring awareness on raising money to support schools in Cambodia, calling it “Caring for Cambodia.” 

Other notable community members who were also present and recognized were Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, state Rep. Dan Cahill, and Lynn Fire Chief Dan Sullivan who was also a guest speaker. 

“We love the city of Lynn and we are honored to share our culture and traditions with our neighbors and community,” Mao said. “Our goal is to work together to bring guidance and resources.”