FALLS CHURCH, Virginia — More than a thousand attendees gathered in Northern Virginia this Valentine’s Day weekend for the 17th annual Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Asian Community Service Center (ACSC). Held on Feb. 14 at Luther Jackson Middle School, the event brought together families, community leaders, and elected officials to welcome the arrival of the Year of the Horse in one of the most traditional Chinese New Year events in the greater D.C. area.
This year’s event was organized around the virtue of filial piety (孝順) — meaning respect, devotion, and responsibility toward parents and elders while also emphasizing the revival of traditional values and culture that have served as a cornerstone of Chinese civilization for centuries.
RELATED: A Joyful Chinese New Year: Vision Times Community Greetings
New year blessings
A number of federal and local dignitaries attended the celebration, offering greetings as they shared the importance of preserving Asian cultural heritage in America.
Newly-elected Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw, a member of the Congressional Asia-Pacific Caucus, noted that the caucus places strong value on maintaining traditional Asian culture, particularly through celebrations of Chinese New Year. He also expressed appreciation for the organizers who have sustained the event for nearly two decades.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
A representative for U.S. Senator Mark Warner delivered an official proclamation, wishing that 2026 would bring good fortune and prosperity to the community.
Virginia State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, who was born in the Year of the Horse, thanked the organizers for creating an annual gathering that strengthens Fairfax County’s cultural vibrancy. “Thank you for empowering me and for everything you have done,” said Salim, who emphasized that Chinese New Year celebrations help make the region “a place full of life and energy.”
Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts reflected on the symbolic meaning of the horse, connecting it to both American and Asian cultural memory. “When I think of the horse,” she said, “I think of its cultural meaning in the American Midwest… and I also understand its significance in war and for warriors.”
She added, “I truly have always enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year each year as each zodiac symbol comes forward to its year.” She also expressed admiration for the loyalty and strength represented by the concept of filial devotion, calling it an ideal reflection of the Year of the Horse’s character.
Fairfax County School Board member Karl Frisch highlighted how diversity strengthens the local community, giving young people early exposure to different customs and traditions. “We are always grateful to the district in welcoming the ASCS to celebrate the new year with us. Year of the Horse is very exciting not only for our Asian community, but for all of us, especially at this time when the whole world seems to be all over the place,” said Frisch, adding, “We are grateful to spend time with our families and with our neighbors to celebrate the culture and diversity that makes Fairfax County so special.”
Another board member, Seema Dixit, offered warm wishes for “a very healthy, successful, and prosperous new year.”
Embracing traditional values
In keeping with tradition, event organizers select a cultural value each year as the focus of the Lunar New Year festivities. This year’s theme, filial piety, was described as one of the most essential virtues in Chinese culture. To promote the concept, the Asian Community Service Center hosted essay and art competitions centered on the character “孝” (xiao), drawing enthusiastic participation from students and bilingual families across the school district.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid told Vision Times that filial piety remains a vital principle for young people today. “We strongly encourage our young people to practice this value,” she said. “If they can do so, our community will become stronger.” During the festivities, she personally presented awards to the student winners. “I think learning happens best in community and when our community comes together around common excitement, holidays, and goals, it helps our children and our future,” she noted.
Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik emphasized the centrality of family in both Eastern and Western traditions. “For me, nothing is more important than family and filial piety,” she said. “I came here with my daughter, and we often spend time with my parents and her grandparents celebrating holidays like this together.”
Virginia Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra of House District 7 shared that caring for her parents before they passed gave her a deeper understanding of filial piety and family values. “It’s really about generational continuity,” she said, “It’s not about money. It’s about love and the essence of who we are as human beings.” She added,” It’s so wonderful to have such a diverse community where we get to enjoy vicariosly the celebrations of each of the various cultures that are represented in Fairfax County.”
A festive showcase of community spirit
The celebration featured a rich lineup of Asian cultural performances, traditional music and dance, and a bustling New Year marketplace filled with food, decorations, and community exhibits. Dragon and lion dances brought energy to the crowd as performers from across Asia showcased their heritage on stage. The event also included booths from local businesses and organizations, including AARP and AllState.
Because the event coincided with Valentine’s Day, organizers also arranged a special traditional wedding ceremony showcase, with participants from China, Korea, and Vietnam presenting their cultural customs.
Inside the venue, a dragon parade brought wishes of harmony, joy, and renewal, offering attendees a meaningful start to the Lunar New Year. As the Year of the Horse begins, the event served not only as a festive gathering, but also as a reminder that traditions such as filial piety continue to resonate across generations, strengthening cultural identity and community bonds in the U.S. and beyond.
