On February 7, 2026, the Columbia Mall in downtown Howard County was abuzz with excited chatter and activity, as people strolled through the halls of the sprawling shopping complex. However, very few were there to shop for clothes or check out the newest products. Instead, most gathered at the mall to admire the Lunar New Year celebration taking place. 

Described by County Executive Calvin Ball as a way to “honor the rich heritage and contributions of our Asian American community,” a group that approximately one in five Howard County residents are a part of, the Lunar New Year Celebration featured various types of performances, ranging from East Asian drumming to Chinese umbrella folk dances. 

The Celebration is an annual tradition in Howard County and has been held since 2019. Activities commonly include lessons in traditional origami, calligraphy, lantern-making, and dances. 

A traditional Chinese fan dance, which is a fixture of Lunar New Year celebrations. Dances like these are popular ways to show the joy of life or to tell ancient stories.

Numerous elected officials on the local, state, and federal levels were also present at the Columbia Mall that day to demonstrate their support for the large Asian-American community, even dressing in red, a color that symbolizes good luck, joy, prosperity, and happiness in Chinese culture. Several politicians praised the performances, viewing them as a testament to the strength of the local AAPI community.

“[Lunar New Year] is [one of the] most celebrated holidays in the entire world,” said Delegate Natalie Ziegler, “so it’s so exciting that we get to celebrate in Howard County as well.”

State Senator Clarence Lam, a second-generation Chinese-American and the only Asian-American legislator in the Maryland State Senate, emphasized the role of the AAPI community in ensuring fair and equal representation in the General Assembly and the importance of the fire horse, which is this year’s zodiac.

“We have one of the most diverse delegations in the State of Maryland because of the support of all of you,” said Lam. “This is the year of the fire horse, [which] only happens once every sixty years, and represents progress as well as a breaking of patterns, something that we, as a community, really want to uplift in this year,” he added in an interview with WBAL-TV 11.

Notably, the fire horse also represents high-energy and transformative change, as well as the breaking of old patterns. For better or for worse, such themes have begun to show in Maryland politics this year in various ways, from Governor Wes Moore’s polarizing push for redistricting to net Democrats an extra seat in the House of Representatives in an off-year election cycle to the election of Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming the first immigrant to hold that title. 

Various politicians, dressed in red, make speeches about the celebration. From left to right, they are: State Delegate Gabriel Moreno, State Delegate Pam Guzzone, State Delegate Courtney Watson, State Delegate Terri Hill, State Delegate Natalie Ziegler, State Senator Clarence Lam, State Delegate Jessica Feldmark, County Executive Calvin Ball, and State Delegate Chao Wu. 

All in all, the event, in addition to showcasing Asian-American self-expression and vibrance, also served as a refreshing break for some politicians, who viewed the rowdy celebration as a way to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of politics. 

“Of all of the chaos, frankly, that I have to deal with in Washington, we are able to come together as a community to celebrate what makes us truly great – which is our diversity … and leading with our values,” said representative Sarah Elfreth (MD-03). 

As the drums quieted and families returned to shopping for goods or going home, the meaning of the day’s performances lingered beyond its physical presence and decorations in the mall. In a county where one in five traces their roots back to Asia, the Lunar New Year is not just a simple celebration full of food, fun, and family – it is a way to stay connected with one’s heritage, a manner in which one can be proud of their Asian-American heritage and let others know.