CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Korean American Association of Clarksville held its Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate, enjoy food and watch performances.

The event marked the start of a new year under the sign of the Blue Snake.

Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Jay Kim speaking at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Colonel Dennis (Bo) Kirby at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Jeff Burkhart at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Ronnie Glynn at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Wes Golden at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Yong Park and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Dooyoung Chang and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Byoungjoe Park and Joe PItts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Woontae Jeong and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Lillian Goodwin and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Ellee Lee and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Tom Suh speaking at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Seunghoon Cha and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Hyunwoo Joo and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Scarlett Park and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Dylan Lee and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Erin Volz and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Lynn Volz and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Kon Kenney and Tom Suh at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Derek Ahn and Joe Pitts at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)
Chan Jo speaking at the Korean American Association of Clarksville Lunar New Year celebration at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University on February 1, 2025. (Wesley Irvin)

Col. Dennis (Bo) Kirby, speaking on behalf of Congressman Mark Green, spoke about his pride in the contributions of the Korean American Association of Clarksville. “Your impact on the people of Clarksville embodies the best aspects of our great nation, state and people. Your organization does so much for the Korean American community, and I congratulate you on another successful year. As your representative in Congress, I look forward to deepening our relationship in the next year.”

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Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden also expressed his appreciation. “I would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work and commitment of the Korean American Association in bringing us together. Your efforts truly enrich Montgomery County. Thank you once again for being here today, and let this Lunar New Year celebration be a memorable occasion filled with joy, laughter and unity.”

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts shared his thoughts on the significance of diversity in Clarksville.  “At a time when diversity has taken on a connotation and a definition that defies understanding or is even hard to explain, it is not a word that we take lightly in the city of Clarksville. According to the Bible, in Ecclesiastes 4:12, it says, in part, ‘A threefold cord is not easily broken.’ So when you bind the three together and you bind us together, we’re not easily broken, and we will not be broken as a city because of the diversity in our city. And we want to say thank you.”

Kon Kenney, president of the Korean American Association of Clarksville, stated, “We are also deeply grateful for the individuals and organizations that made tonight possible.”

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