Lunar New Year Celebration by UAFS

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration on January 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fort Smith Bakery District.
 
The event will be a full-scale festival featuring games and activities including tiến lên (thirteen) and bầu cua (a six-figure dice game) from Vietnam, as well as mahjong and poker tables. The Noble 8 Lion Dancers will perform traditional dances and local artists will teach attendees to make lucky knots and red envelopes.
 
The UAFS Vietnamese Student Association is partnering with The UAFS Myles Friedman Honors Program and Cultural Network and the Asian Culture Club at Southside High School to host the public event.
 
“Various Asian countries, including Vietnam, celebrate the beginning of the new year according to their own lunar calendars,” said Dominic Mai, President of Vietnamese Student Association. “I'm particularly excited for the lion dance troupe. They are a local performance group from Fort Smith with colorful lions that are sure to be a highlight of the event.”