THE COLOR and glamour of “Flower Street” coming to Garden Grove’s Main Street (OC Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

If you want to enjoy the colorful culture of Southeast Asia, you don’t need to hop on an airplane or take a cruise ship across the Pacific Ocean.

Instead, a short trip to Main Street in downtown Garden Grove may satisfy your interest. The annual “Flower Street” event will be held in the city’s historic center on Main Street between Garden Grove Boulevard and Acacia Parkway on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The 2024 event attracted an estimated 40,000 visitors to a miniature version of the “Flower Street,” a yearly celebration in Vietnam and other Asian nations in which a major thoroughfare is decorated with spectacular flower designs and a variety of events are held.

“Here in the U.S. we are able to do the same thing and create an atmosphere, so our community; but not only our community and other communities can come and celebrate lunar new year,” said Sophie Bao Tran, who served as emcee for a press conference held to publicize the Flower Street.

In Garden Grove, the event is organized by the Vietnamese Soccer Association of Southern California in collaboration with the city, the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, and other community organizations.

In addition to the flowers, there will be a Miss Asian Heritage Pageant, lion dances, a raffle, music and magic shows and more.

Main Street between The Boulevard and Acacia will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24 until Monday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m.