WESTBROOK, ME (March 31, 2023) — Saturday, April 15th, from 10:00am-4:00pm at Riverbank Park in Westbrook, Mainem the Khmer New Year 2023 Festival & Parade will feature traditional Buddhist blessings, ceremonies, and chants from 10am-12pm, free Khmer food offered by Watt Samaki volunteers, street food for sale by Khmer Maine volunteers (proceeds to benefit Watt Samaki), and the chance to meet and access resources from our sponsors and community vendors. A small walking ceremony will commence at 1pm followed by music and dance performances and remarks from event organizers and public officials.

Khmer New Year is a widely celebrated holiday among the Cambodian population and marks the end of the traditional harvest season. In Cambodia, it is a time of rest and leisure for farmers who return to their home communities to celebrate with relatives. Although not exclusively a religious holiday, many Cambodians observe the New Year through purification ceremonies, visits to the local temple, parades, and by playing traditional games.

Unlike other Cambodian holidays that follow the lunar calendar, Khmer New Year is set in April according to the Gregorian calendar. The official dates for observation are Tuesday, April 14 thru Thursday, April 16.