LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Las Vegas is aglow as the Asian Lantern Festival unfolded at the College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston Campus.
The event, a vibrant celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander culture, featured nearly 40 local vendors offering traditional street food and handmade crafts.
Organizers emphasized the festival’s dual purpose of celebration and community support. Vida Lin, president and founder of the Asian Community Development Council, said, “We do direct services for our community. One of the things we do is help small businesses in our community. This is one of the venues that we can do that to make sure that we can do that. And this all by donations and people supporting. We wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Gayla Young, owner of Pipeline Malasadas, expressed gratitude for the supportive environment, saying, “One of thing for me is to be in a community that is supporting, especially the asian American community, and to be here surrounded by other vendors is really beneficial to us.”
Proceeds from the festival will fund ACDC programs that enhance health care access, civic engagement, and business support for Nevada’s growing AANHPI community.