The Cambodian community will celebrate year 2545, a snake year, this Saturday night in Smith Memorial Center Ballroom.
“It’s gonna be fun and it’s a new way for people to celebrate another culture’s New Year,” said Kyra Ngo, co-president of Portland State Khmer Student Association.Ngo said this is the first time in two years that the KSA has put on a New Year celebration.
This bash will be more of a cultural gathering. There will be a live Cambodian band, Reasmey Angkor, scheduled to play both Cambodian and American songs. In addition, the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon, also the co-sponsor of the event will perform traditional Cambodian dances and a small play. The cultural performances will be presented by a range of different age groups, according to Ngo.
Two guest community speakers will also address the attendees about the Cambodian culture and its history.
Ngo said there will be security guards and as people check in, they will go through a metal detector. She said PSU public safety recommended this type of security procedure because in previous parties there were some safety conflicts.
“This is just in case something happens. We just want everyone to be safe,” Ngo said.
Ngo expects about 600 to 700 people, including Oregon State University Khmer Student Association members, who told her they couldn’t organize a similar event in Corvallis due to space. Members from both schools will act as volunteers, helping out and facilitating the celebration.
Tickets will cost $8 for adults and be free for children under 12. The ticket sales will cover the expenses. Anything left over will be divided equally between the Khmer Student Association and the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon.
Ngo said half of the proceeds will go directly into the association account to be used for a get-together this summer for the members.
There will be a food table, where attendees can purchase Asian sandwiches, steamed buns, other foods and drinks for one or two dollars.
The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the party will last to midnight. The dance performances will take place from 7 to 9 p.m., and people will take to the dance floor from 9 p.m. until midnight as the band plays.
“This is open to the Cambodian community and the surrounding community,” Ngo concluded.