On February 15th, the Arts District lit up with the spirit of Lunar New Year as PACE celebrated its first ever Lunar Lights Market featuring local food, drink, and craft vendors.
The event was a platform for culture and celebration as community members, electeds, and government and corporate partners came together to support local small businesses and usher in the Year of the Dragon.
At the heart of the event was the local vendors who showcased a variety of offerings from satay skewers and Asian inspired pizza to handcrafted jewelry and boba milk tea. Among these talented vendors were three valued clients of PACE’s Business Development Center: Quirk, Teanery co., and Good Clean Fun. Market guests also enjoyed live music from Boneless Pizza, taiko drumming from LA Taiko Collective, and lion dancing from East Wind Foundation.
In addition to the festivities, Lunar Lights Market was honored to welcome Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, whose inspiring remarks highlighted the importance of honoring culture and community collaboration. The councilmember also recognized Rudy Tejada, one of PACE’s Head Start Teachers, for his receipt of the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s 2023 Golden Apple Award.
The event also featured remarks from George Tanaka, Managing Director and Head of Japan Practice at U.S. Bank. As our Dragon Sponsor, we are especially grateful for U.S. Bank’s generous support of the market and for their continued partnership. We would also like to thank all the attendees, sponsors, and supporters who attended Lunar Lights Market and contributed to the event’s success.
“Lunar Lights Market is not just a celebration of the new year, but also a testament to the resilience and creativity of local entrepreneurs,” said Kerry Doi, CEO of PACE. “We’re immensely proud to have been a part of such a vibrant and inclusive celebration, and we look forward to hosting more meaningful experiences that not only bring people together but also uplift the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods.”
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
