City of Renton Contacts
Laura Pettitt, Communications & Engagement Director, 206-308-7986 (cell)
Maryjane Van Cleave, Equity, Housing, and Human Services Administrator, 425-430-6713 (office)
Mayor Armondo Pavone and City Councilmembers Ed Prince, Carmen Rivera, Ryan McIrvin, James Alberson Jr., Valerie O’Halloran, Kim-Khánh Văn, and Ruth Pérez are joined by community leaders Duc Tran and Tony Au, and members of the International Lion Dance Martial Arts Team.
RENTON, WA (January 25, 2023) – The City of Renton celebrated Lunar New Year Monday evening at city hall with a reception, lion dance and proclamation.
“We were honored to host this recognition and celebration of Asian culture. As one of the most significant holidays in greater Asia, Lunar New Year provides a time of forward-looking hope and optimism for the coming year,” said Mayor Armondo Pavone. “Renton is an extremely diverse community, with nearly 25% of our residents of Asian heritage. In understanding and celebrating the cultures that comprise Renton, we become a stronger and more inclusive community.”
During the regularly scheduled council meeting, the mayor issued a proclamation designating Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, as Lunar New Year Day in Renton.
Community leaders Duc Tran, CEO of Viet Wah Market, and Tony Au, of the International Lion Dance Martial Arts Team, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Renton’s Asian community.
“It is my honor to represent my community and accept this proclamation,” Mr. Tran told the mayor, city council, and packed council chamber audience. “This city always helps the minorities who live in and work here. Everybody is one family. I hope that by working together, all ethnic groups will contribute to the city’s strong economy. Thank you for including all of us as one family.”
Community leader Duc Tran, CEO of Viet Wah Market, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Renton’s Asian community.
Asian community leaders, city councilmembers, and city staff attended a reception coordinated by the city’s Equity, Housing, and Human Services Department before the regularly scheduled council meeting. The reception included festive decorations, traditional Lunar New Year Asian foods, red envelope giving with quotes wishing good fortune and health, and a Lion Dance.
In Asian cultures, Lunar New Year focuses on bringing together family, celebrating love, and reaffirming bonds, while wishing good luck for the new year and celebrating the imminent arrival of spring.
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in China and the Year of the Cat in Vietnam. Celebrations in China run from Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 and in Vietnam from Jan. 2 to Jan. 26.
The City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 107,500 (2022), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace, and favorable business climate have attracted nationally recognized companies wishing to provide employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, Super Bowl Champion (2014) Seattle Seahawks, two-time (2016 & 2019) MLS champion and CONCACAF Champion (2022) Seattle Sounders FC (in 2024), and the eternal resting place of rock icon. Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, news releases, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
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