On Saturday, February 14th, the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) hosted a Lunar New Year celebration at the Pleasanton Senior Center. The event featured storytelling, live performances, crafts, and more as the community celebrated the worldwide holiday.
“We put together culturally relevant crafts that go along for families and kids of all ages. Some kids are better at different levels of activities. So we try to make appropriate levels. And so it takes me about a week to prepare, getting different things together,” said PCAC President Kelly Cousins.
Welcoming All Cultures
The Lunar New Year holiday traditionally marks the beginning of a new zodiac cycle, transitioning from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse this year. While this themeing is new, the central goal of the PCAC remains the same for this event: to expose the community to new cultures.
“Our hope is to get more people out to get to know their neighbors, to get to know the importance that every culture brings to a community. It’s entertainment, and it’s a fun family activity. Our mission is to get people to understand and support the arts and the cultural arts in our community,” said Cousins.
Traditional festivities of the holiday include red decor, elaborate meals, cleaning up houses, and visiting family. Bringing these traditions into the Pleasanton community was no easy task, yet one that was necessary in the eyes of the City of Pleasanton.
“We travel the world to experience different cultures, and I think we forget that we can have it in our own community and our neighbors. I do travel, but to see it here in my hometown, I think it’s just an awesome thing. We have a lot of kids. We have a lot of parents. They want the same things I want: a healthy, safe environment for their kids. They want them to do good in school. So I really feel like with the national fervor of division right now, these [events] are more important than ever, to show our commonalities and what we believe, what we really want,” said Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch.
Behind the Scenes
The event was funded and created collectively by the City of Pleasanton and the Friends of the Pleasanton Library. PCAC’s work process continues the precedents set by past celebrations, like 2013’s “Big Draw” or 2019’s “Treasures of Japan” event, to name a few.
“I didn’t plan it as the mayor; our Library and Recreation department did the work. But the way the budget works is we approve an allocation of money for cultural events. So showing up today, in my opinion, is showing support for our community, showing support that everyone can belong. Everyone’s welcome. I am fortunate that I get to speak for the community, legally, and so I want the community to know they’re welcome here. This is part of us. This is our identity,” said Balch.
Rising Artists
If the celebration’s full parking lot and packed audience didn’t signify the wide audience the event appealed to, the diverse range of volunteers at the event’s craft booths and info stations certainly did for viewers.
“We have to contact our own volunteers, and we give high school students community service credits. So if any high schoolers want to volunteer with us on these events, they can contact us, and we’d be happy to [have them]. The kids definitely help us with getting the word out,” said Cousins.
Teenage and adult volunteers alike participated by helping out with face painting, arts & crafts, and other Lunar New Year-related activities. With some booths appealing to younger audiences and others to older ones, everyone had something to do.
“I love volunteering here because I get to work with kids one-on-one. And I love working with kids because they make me so happy. It’s just amazing to see how happy they are after I give them face paint,” said volunteer Ashley Srouji
Accepting Everyone
The Lunar New Year holiday season falls between February 17th and March 3rd this year. For the Pleasanton community, it’s a time to honor the many cultures that connect the city.
“I will encourage you to make sure you hear each other. Don’t talk past people. Just because we’re different doesn’t mean we don’t have similar values,” said Balch.
