Cambodian Community Day

FAQ

1.What is Cambodian Community Day (CCD)?
2. Who organizes the CCD festival every year?
3. What is the CCD Committee and who are the members?
4. How is CCD is funded?
5. Can any Cambodian organization participate in the CCD festival?
6. Why is the CCD committee is not chartered into a formal organization with 501c(3), tax-exempt status?
7. Many organizations already promote Cambodian culture. Why does CCD have to duplicate this effort?
8. What are the components and activities of the CCD festival?
9. Does CCD pay for the artistic performances?
10. If I want to sell food at this year's CCD festival, what do I need to do?
11. If I want to advertise my business, do I have to pay a fee too?
12. If I have arts & crafts I want to sell, do I have to pay a fee too?
13. Is there anything I should prepare for when coming to the festival?
14. Is there a metro station nearby?
15. How many years have Cambodians celebrated CCD?

1. What is Cambodian Community Day (CCD)?

CCD is an annual Cambodian community festival that seeks to promote and raise the awareness of Cambodian Culture and Heritage.

2. Who Organizes the CCD festival every year?

The CCD Committee organizes the festival.

3. What is CCD and who are the members?

The CCD committee is a group of enthusiastic people sharing common interest in promoting Cambodian Culture and Heritage. Its primary purpose is to organize the Cambodian Community Day yearly festival. Anybody can join the committee at any time by filling out the applications form. Members are expected to help in the planning as much as they can. Each member has a right to vote on any matters that require member approval. He/she can be nominated and elected to serve as a member of a Board of Directors, or can serve as an officer or committee chair of the organization as prescribed by the CCD Bylaws. For more information read our organization chart and role description.

4. How is CCD funded?

The CCD is a community-funded festival. It does not receive any grant from any government agencies. However, for several years, the CCD festival has been made possible by the sponsorship of the Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, many Cambodian organizations. Cambodian organizations donate some money.The Arlington County and the City of Alexandria do not. Instead, they provide the manpower, logistics support, and in-kind services. Funds are raised from public, businesses, foods, arts & crafts vending concession and fee.

5.Can any Khmer Organization participate in CCD?

Yes they can. The CCD is open to everybody and we want all organizations and the community to be part of it.

6. Why is the CCD committee not chartered into a formal organization with 501(c)(3), tax-exempt status?

We are in the process of filing IRS 1023 to become a 501(c)(3) organization.

7. Many Organizations have the same goals of promoting the Cambodian culture. Why does CCD have to duplicate this effort?

We would like to thank all organizations that have done a lot of wonderful works to promote and preserve our culture. The CCD would like to salute their noble acts. CCD seeks to unify all people of all walks of life.

Friendship building and community networking is one the goals that CCD seeks to achieve. Every day, each of us is busy making a living. We think the event is an opportunity for the community to take a break for one day and enjoy the festival, to bring the family and friends together and have fun and at the same time, young Cambodian Americans may learn something about the Cambodian culture and heritage, which we are all proud of.

There are so many activities you can enjoy within one day. People pay admission fee for other events. The CCD event is free and open to all people, Cambodian, American, and people of other ethnic background. This is the power and the beauty of the CCD festival.

8. What are the components and activities of the CCD festival?

There are five components in the festival.

* The cultural show component consists of artistic performances of classical, traditional and folk dances.

* The art & craft component consists of Cambodian arts, crafts display. Some are available for sales from the vendors.

* The food component consists of Cambodian ethnic foods and beverage for sales.

* The live band component is for social dances.

* The traditional and folk games component that are played mostly by Cambodian children.

9. Does the CCD pay for the artistic performances?

We would prefer to use the word small donation to the groups who perform instead, from the fund that we raise. There are many groups involved. Most are children groups. It is just a little incentive and appreciation.

10. If I want to sell foods at this year CCD festival, what do I need to do?

In order to sell foods, you need to apply for a temporary permit from the city of Alexandria, good for one year. You pay $40 for the permit and $125 to the Alexandria Dept of Park & Recreation. Additionally, you may have to pay up to $80, if you use propane gas, to the Alexandria Fire Dept. All food preparations are subjected to state regulations and health department inspection. Vendor who fails the inspection or vendor who does not pay for the permit will not be allowed to sell.

The fees are beyond CCD committee control and are required for every event that sells food in the city. We charge $100 concession fee per vendor. We will not be responsible if your foods fail the inspection. Each vendor is responsible to bring tents, chairs and tables.

Based on our past experiences, all vendors make money on top of these paid fees. There are up to 6000 people come in and out of the festival last year. Call Sovannah Tum at 843-458-9518 for more information. You will also need to fill out the CCD Vendor and Advertiser form.

11. If I want to advertise my business, do I have to pay a fee too?

We charge $100 per table. You are also responsible to bring your own table and tents. Contact Sovannah Tum at neang_nhep@sc.rr.com for more info. You will also need to fill out the CCD Vendor and Exhibitor form.

12. If I have arts & crafts I want to sell, do I have to pay a fee too?

Yes. We charge $100 per vendor. Contact Sovannah Tum at neang_nhep@sc.rr.com for more info. You will also need to fill out the CCD Vendor and Exhibitor form.

13. Is there anything I should prepare when coming to the festival?

If you have canopies, folding chairs, beach umbrellas, please bring them or lend them to us. The park has few trees in the location of the festival. It is going to be a hot summer day.

The number of parking space is limited. Please drop off your family and friends in the park. Bring your car to park outside within a walking distance. There is a pond in the park. Please keep your children off the pond bank. Swimming is prohibited. Please obey the restricted and handicap parking. Towing is being enforced by the city. We want you to enjoy the festival. Please help us by being prepared.

14. Is there a metro station nearby?

Cameron and Van Dorn stations are the closest ones. However, they are not within a walking distance.

15. How many years have Cambodians celebrated CCD?

This is the 7th year. We started out in Barcroft Park in Arlington County in 1998. We moved to Alexandria in 2003. Since we have had a very good relationship with the city of Alexandria, there is no plan to move out of the city for now.