Celebrating the pomp and pageantry of Igbo culture at the first outdoor Igbo Day Festival in Southern California, Saturday August 30th, 2025.
The Igbo Community Association (ICA), Southern California, Inc. along with many Igbo Organizations in Southern California hosted the first outdoor Igbo Day Cultural Festival on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the Veterans Park, Carson, California.
Present at the event were over 1,600 people representing the following Igbo State Associations- from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States and several Igbo groups in Southern California.
The event kicked off at about 2pm with opening prayers by Venerable Dr. Chris Odoemenna and opening remarks by the festival committee chairman Chief Chidi Ugwueze. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of the American national anthem by Anuli Chukwu and the Nigerian National anthem by Anthony Chidundu Oje.
After the National Anthems there was a presentation of kola nuts by Igbo women led by Dr. Mrs. Ethel Nwandu, the first lady of ICA Southern California, Inc. The kolanuts were received by a team of ICA leaders that included Prince Gabe Nwandu (President), Chief Andre Obih (Cultural Director), Chief Chidi Ugwueze (Planning Committee Chair), and Dr Christopher Ikeanyi (Contents Development Committee Chair). The ceremonial breaking of kola nuts was done by HRM Eze Ogele O. Ogele, Eze Dioha Nma 1 of Opasieke, Uturu.
Following the breaking of Kola Nuts, the President of ICA, Prince Gabe Nwandu gave his opening address during which he praised the unparalleled synergy, support and commitment of the community that led to huge success of this event. He also outlined other programs of the ICA like the Igbo Summer camp and urged everyone to support and join ICA in their efforts to give the Igbos in Southern California a pride of place in the larger American community.
After the President's address, the Secretary of ICA Dr. Sampson Akwafuo gave a brief lecture on Igbo history titled "Who are the Igbos".
Dr. Akwafuo's speech was followed by short remarks and certificate presentations by the Honorable Alex Monteiro, Mayor Pro Tem City of Hawthorne California and Mr. Moises Aglipay who represented the Mayor City of Carson and Assemblyman Mike Gipson of California's 65th Assembly District.
These formalities were followed by parades by State Associations present including Abia State, Anambra State, Ebony State, Enugu State and Imo State.
The State parades were followed by parades by of the following Igbo Associations
- Udoka Women Assoc. of SoCal
- Umuada Igbo Global
- Association of Nze Ozo and Chiefs (ANOC)
- Imo State Men
- Enugu State Men
- Ebonyi State Men/Women
- Aro-Okeigbo
- Opuruiche United
- Igbo Nurses Association (ANINA)
- Imo State Women
- Anambra State Women
- Aguata-Orumba Women
- Abia State Women
- Enugu State Women
- AdaUgo Women
- Anambra State Men
- Orlu Town Women
- Ezzy International Group
- Nneamaka Social Club
- Obowo Development Union
- Ngwa Community in SoCal
- Onitsha Ado Cultural Association
- Coal City Club of North America
- Igbo Catholic Org. of San Bernardino
- Owerri Cultural Union
After the processions came the official New yam festival/iwa ji ceremony. Following the New yam festival came different dance performances by individual groups:
- Igbo Camp Children Atilogwu Dance
- ICYO Dance Group
- Princess Elam Foundation Dance
- Dance Group by UIU-LA
- The Igbo Goddess by Anuli Chukwu
- Abiriba War dance
These performances were followed by the Masquerades
- Adamma
- Akwa Okwuru Aro Okeigbo
- Etiaba Masquerade
- Ojemba Anambra
The occasion ended with life band performance by Eugene de Coque. The event was free for the public to attend, with no cost for participation.