Mimi Luong is the co-owner of Truong An Gifts, a charming shop tucked away in Westwood’s Far East Center shopping plaza that specializes in everything from tea, herbs, and feng shui to Asian snacks and street fashion. But more than that, Mimi and her family have created a cornerstone in the Far East Center for Denver’s Asian community to celebrate culture, heritage, and the city’s largest and longest-running Lunar New Year event.
We spoke with Mimi about her family’s legacy on the City Cast Denver podcast a few years ago. Now, we’ve welcomed her back as Denver prepares to celebrate Lunar New Year this weekend as a state-observed holiday for the first time.
What is the Lunar New Year?
"Lunar New Year is [Asian cultures’] New Year. We go off a lunar calendar that goes off the moon, so that’s why the date is different every year. My mom is a refugee. She had to flee the [Vietnam] war, and when she got here, there was nothing related to her culture or her heritage. But she wanted to be able to celebrate those things, so we were one of the first families in Denver to host Lunar New Year celebrations for the community. It is a celebration of our roots. We eat traditional food and wear traditional clothes and celebrate with dragons and fireworks."
Spectators watch a lion dance performance at the Far East Center. (Far East Center)
What is the Lunar New Year Tradition You Look Forward to Most?
"You definitely have to eat long noodles, because that means you’re going to have a long life. You cannot bite the noodle, you have to just swallow it, because otherwise you’re cutting your life short. So that’s why we slurp our noodles. Also, making dumplings with the family. We have a special tradition of putting a lucky coin in one of the dumplings, and whoever gets the lucky coin will have prosperity throughout the year — kind of like a King Cake."
What Can We Expect from the Year of the Dragon?
"What’s so special about this year is that out of the 12 animal zodiacs, the dragon is the only animal that is a mythical creature. The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and big changes, so we’re hopeful for a prosperous, powerful year."
Far East Center Lunar New Year Celebration
Stop by the Far East Center (333 S. Federal Blvd.) this Saturday and Sunday from 11a.m.-4 p.m. where there will be traditional lion dances, cultural performances, special pop-up food vendors, and much more. Learn more at littlesaigondenver.com/lunar-new-year/.
Other Lunar New Year Events
- Aurora | Feb. 9 | 4:30-7 p.m.
- Parker | Feb. 9 | 5:30-8 p.m.
- George Washington High School | Feb. 10 | 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Highlands Ranch | Feb. 10 | Noon-4 p.m.
- Fort Collins | Feb. 10 | 6-9 p.m.
- Colorado Springs | Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Longmont | Feb. 24 | 2-5 p.m.
