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The fourth annual Cambodian Cultural Celebration, presented by the state Parks and Recreation Commission, and the state Arts Commission, will include music and dance performances by Cambodian groups from Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and Yelm, as well as crafts, displays of artifacts, and historical information.
“This is highlighting the whole culture of Cambodia,” said Srey Ryser of Tumwater, who is organizing the event with Rady Oum of Tacoma. “We’ll have dancers performing classical and traditional dances. You’ll see them in their colorful costumes.
“They are all decked out. They are gorgeous.”
The event won’t just be a feast for the eyes, though.
“I have friends who say, ‘I can’t wait to eat the Cambodian food,’ ” Ryser said. “Most of my co-workers love the papaya salad. Deep-fried sweet potatoes and deep-fried bananas are very popular as well.”
Also on the menu are beef and pork kabobs, stir-fried noodles, egg rolls and sticky rice cakes. “It’s similar to Thai food,” she said.
The celebration typically draws 800-900 people, said Jens Lund of Olympia, manager of the Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program.
“It’s for everybody; it’s not just for Cambodians,” he said. “On the day of the event, we go out to the park and put up signs so people who are camping or using the park for the day will also come in.”
Ryser said, “We definitely want everybody to come out and learn about our way of life.”
The event, which gets funding from the state Arts Commission as well as the National Endowment for the Arts and the private Washington State Parks Foundation, is one of a number of festivals, concerts, and other events in the state’s parks as part of the program.
Dancing at the festival are the groups Cambodian Classical & Folk Dance of Tacoma and the Cambodian Heritage Society of Seattle. Musical performances are traditional instrumental music by Somleng Tro Khmer of Tacoma, contemporary music by the Watanakpeap Dontrey band of Olympia and traditional percussion by the Chai Yam Ensemble of the Wat Prachum Raingsey Buddhist Association of Yelm.
The celebration also includes a martial-arts demonstration, a car show and, of course, face painting.
“I guess that’s in every country,” Ryser said. “Kids love it.”
Cambodian Cultural Celebration
What: This free festival offers the opportunity to sample the music, dances, crafts and food of Cambodia.
When: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Environmental Learning Center at Millersylvania State Park, 12245 Tilley Road S., Olympia
Admission: Free; food, arts and crafts will be for sale.
More information: 360-753-1519 or www.parks.wa.gov/events
Also: The Discover Pass, which is required for visitors to state parks, is not needed to attend this event.
