— A Community Report on One APIA Nevada’s Dragon Boat Cultural Day
Las Vegas, May 31, 2025 — On the afternoon of the Dragon Boat Festival, the aroma of zongzi and the warmth of shared tradition filled a community multipurpose space in Las Vegas. Organized by One APIA Nevada, this lively and heartfelt cultural gathering brought together approximately 80 community members, most from Chinese families. The event, conducted entirely in Chinese, created a nostalgic atmosphere that resonated deeply with many attendees.
Handmade Traditions: Blessings Woven with Care
The event began with a vibrant hands-on session, where participants eagerly crafted traditional fragrant sachets and five-color safety cords. Under the guidance of four dedicated volunteers, attendees selected their favorite fabrics and herbs like mugwort, clove, and agastache to create sachets believed to ward off evil and bring peace. At the same time, children braided colorful threads into protective cords while learning about the cultural belief in warding off bad luck through the five elements.
After this cultural warm-up, the hosts officially introduced the event’s purpose: to bring the community together in honoring traditional Chinese festivals, while deepening cultural understanding through meaningful engagement and hands-on experience.
Honored Guests: Shared Heritage, Shared Strength
Jenny Koo, President of the Nevada Chinese Association, offered opening remarks. She praised the event’s spirit of unity and noted the importance of preserving cultural wisdom through community celebration and connection.
Zongzi Making Workshop: A Packed House with Eager Learners
One of the day’s most popular segments was the zongzi-making workshop. Two skilled volunteers demonstrated step by step how to fold bamboo leaves into cones, fill them with glutinous rice and savory fillings, and tie them tightly. The demonstration drew a large crowd, with many attendees — especially the younger generation — expressing amazement at the intricate process. Inspired, they eagerly tried their hands at wrapping their own festive bundles.
Learning Through Play: Cultural Knowledge Comes Alive
The event continued with an interactive quiz game, where attendees tested their knowledge of the Dragon Boat Festival’s origins, customs, and regional traditions. From honoring the patriotic poet Qu Yuan to learning about symbolic practices like wearing sachets and tying five-color cords, the audience engaged enthusiastically, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Taste of Tradition: Flavors That Spark Memories
As the fragrant aroma of freshly steamed zongzi wafted through the room, guests gathered for the culinary highlight of the event. A variety of traditional zongzi were served alongside jasmine tea and light snacks. Many attendees were moved by the familiar flavors. “This tastes just like the ones my grandma used to make!” one participant remarked. The shared meal became a bridge to cherished memories and cultural comfort.
Dragon Boat Crafts: Creativity and Joy for All
Adding to the festivities, families teamed up to design and decorate paper dragon boats. These were then raced across water basins in friendly competition. Laughter echoed as both children and adults joined the activity, turning the crafting table into a joyful space for imagination, teamwork, and fun.
A Community Vision: Culture as the Bridge, Participation as the Power
At the height of the celebration, Eric Jeng. the Executive Director of One APIA Nevada addressed the attendees with the following message:
“To honor the richness of AAPI heritage and its vibrant traditions, One APIA Nevada hosted this community gathering during the Dragon Boat Festival. Families and youth from diverse backgrounds came together to wrap zongzi, craft herbal sachets, and share stories of culture and immigration. This celebration rekindled the warmth of traditional holidays and built bridges between newcomers and long-standing residents.
Our youth leaders and community organizers (TCOs) also introduced opportunities for civic engagement — from voter registration to key policy moments in the Nevada State Legislature’s final 72 hours. These cultural events are how we bring our ‘third space’ vision to life — beyond home, school, or work — where communities not only celebrate but connect and organize. Through culture, we find belonging. Through participation, we build power.
‘Community begins with culture, and power grows through participation.’ This is the change we are committed to creating.”
As the event drew to a close, the Executive Director Eric Jeng took a moment to thank the ten hardworking volunteers whose efforts made the day possible. With group photos and warm farewells, attendees left feeling uplifted. Many expressed heartfelt appreciation, saying this celebration of Chinese heritage was a much-needed reminder of home, pride, and togetherness in today’s world.
According to One APIA Nevada, the decision to hold this event on the actual day of the Dragon Boat Festival was intentional—meant to ensure that community members could not only commemorate, but also truly reconnect with and actively practice their cultural traditions. The organization emphasized that similar events will continue to be held, so that more people living far from their homeland can feel a genuine sense of belonging during meaningful holidays.
[By Nevada Chinese Perspective]
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