By Karun Yee
CACS Historical Chair

June 11, 2022 marked the opening day for the Fiddletown Chew Kee Museum and 2 other Chinese buildings. The Chinese American Council Of Sacramento Foundation and the Fiddletown Preservation Society partnered to put on the afternoon event in the park adjacent to the Museum. This was the first time our organization was able to do an in person event in a nice shaded park setting.

Our team of Franc Martinez, June Fong, Brenda Fong and Karun Yee chose to lecture on the ancient Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony describing the traditions and symbolism leading up to the marriage of a Chinese couple. This ceremony conveys the respect and appreciation between the bride, groom and the parents. Tea and cookies, lei see were served to our guests. Our Chinese lanterns, props and costumes lent an Asian atmosphere to the festivities. Cathy and Steve, Doug and Corliss came to support us.

The Fiddletown Preservation Society set up the electronics and a peaceful Tai Chi demonstration by Janet Migliore, teacher and friend with beautiful music. Visitors came as far as Red Bluff and San Francisco to visit the Chew Kee Museum and see our new brick wall of donors. We were pleasantly surprised to the good turnout although the day was extremely hot. The shade of the park trees and breeze made the day pleasant.

Our hope is this is the beginning of networking among many different groups of people with cultural education serving as inspiration.