Changes to the ceremony celebrating the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice
Equipped with prayers, color presentations from the Bakersfield Police Department, songs, and traditional dances this year's Korean War armistice anniversary celebration was livelier than ever.
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00:00 Good evening everyone, thanks for joining us for 23 ABC News at 5, I'm Mark Blaine.
00:05 In perhaps one of the largest local ceremonies for the Korean War Armistice since the local memorial was dedicated in 2006,
00:12 the 70th anniversary celebration today to mark the end of hostilities took on a new look and sound.
00:19 Here's 23 ABC's Ruby Rivera.
00:21 Equipped with prayers, color presentations from the Bakersfield Police Department, songs and traditional dances,
00:27 this year's ceremony was more lively than ever.
00:30 According to the director of the Korean Classical Music Dance Company, Dong-Soo Kim,
00:34 this is the first time the ceremony is being held outdoors while also showcasing their traditions to the public and is pleased with the turnout.
00:41 So overwhelming, even on a hot day people come here to celebrate in a relationship with the Korean American and Americans.
00:50 Kim says for this being the first year that his dancers were involved, he's pleasantly surprised to see how welcoming the community was towards them.
00:57 A special appreciation dinner was conducted the night before the ceremony.
01:01 Kim says the dinner was by invitation only, but he was still happy to see the turnout.
01:05 However, he says Thursday's ceremony was more meaningful to him since it was open to the public.
01:10 The Korean Classical Musical Dance Company is known for its dances all over the world.
01:14 Kim says they often travel globally and always make an effort to attend any Korean American events.
01:19 Considering that Bakersfield is part of the sister city agreement with South Korea signed in 2006,
01:24 Kim says being able to connect with these communities brings a level of peace and comfort.
01:29 Even the little city, there's Koreans, but if they have this kind of relationship, they feel better to live.
01:37 They're probably comfortable to live here.
01:40 Event organizers say they are so happy to see the community come out and partake in their celebrations.
01:45 They say events like this are important to showcase our relationships with Korea and how they came to be.
01:50 At Jastrow Park, Rubir Vera, 23 ABC News, connecting you.
01:54 connecting you.