The 23rd annual Livingston Chinese Culture Day (LCCD), was held on February 1. LCCD 2025 welcomed approximately 2,000 attendees, including 600 children, making it the largest event in its history. It showcased the strength, unity, and rich traditions of the Chinese-American community.
From the endof S eptember through February 1,40 core committee members dedicated hundreds of hours to planning every detail. Organized through the collective elTorts of five key organizations - Livingston Chinese Association (LCA), Livingston Huaxia Chinese School, Livingston Chinese School, Living Stone Christian Church, and Livingston High School - the celebration reflected display of community collaboration.
This year’s LCCD introduced a new afternoon segment - the Miaohui Cultural Exhibition and Fair. With support from the Livingston Public Schools (LPS), the Livingston Board of Education, and the Livingston Town Council, this new event was hosted at Livingston High School’s Fitness and Wellness Center, allowing for almost ten times more attendees than previous years.
With 44 sponsors and 50 booths, the Miaohui Cultural Fair featured traditional crafts, children’s games and activities, and cultural displays. Eight sponsors came from outside the Chinese community, and five booths were offered free to key town organizations - the Livingston Police Department, Livingston Fire Department, Livingston First Aid Squad, Livingston Public Library, and Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD). Additionally, three booths were reserved for nonprofit organizations - Shiv’s Third Eye (youth mental health), Annie’s Army (Gift for Life), and the Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States (AYLUS).
Local studios and schools performed during the Miaohui Cultural Fair, with 15 programs taking the stage including cultural performances spanning dance and choral music, as well as a talk show by LHS ’ students currently studying Chinese. Artists in attendance included master of Bian Lian Guohui Ren, Shiqi Zhong of Handpan Artist, and pipa soloist Yang Jin. The entire day’s performer team, comprising of both youth and adult artists, totaled 100 participants.
LCCD hosted around 600 kids during the Miaohui, where they were able to play games, win prizes, and receive red envelopes for Caishen, the Money God.
The Senior Community Room offered a space for 90 senior attendees, supported by ten volunteers. They enjoyed a mini-gala with performances including a senior chorus, tai chi demonstrations, and line dancing, as well as interactive games that encouraged participation and social connection.
LCCD’s success was made possible by the LPS, reinforcing a strong 30-year relationship between the Chinese-American community and the school district. Since 1995, Chinese language courses have been part of LPS’s curriculum, and for 23 years, LCCD has been hosted at LPS facilities free of charge.
This year, Livingston High School students played a key role not only as volunteers but also as emcees, crew members, and stage technicians, managing sound, lighting, and stage operations.
This year’s LCCD featured local, state, and federal elected officials, education leaders, and community representatives. The event was also attended by influential figures from LPS, interfaith organizations, and regional Chinese-American associations, further strengthening ties between different communities. Their collective participation highlighted LCCD’s role as a unifying cultural celebration, fostering collaboration and appreciation across diverse groups.
