V-Roll’s Lunar New Year Festival Brings New Culture to Gulfport

a woman putting her hand on a red chinese lion dancer — V-Roll owner Stephanie Ngheim touching the lion’s head for good luck.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

V-Roll, the Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Gulfport, hosted their first Lunar New Year festival Feb. 21. Complete with lion dancers, a wishing tree, and plenty of delicious Vietnamese food, the festival delighted onlookers and customers alike.

The lion dancers began at the end of the block by Stella’s and made their way to V-Roll, spreading good luck as they went. The drums echoed throughout the block, beating in time with the movement of the lions. It is believed in Asian traditions that they bring good luck in the new year.

Customers and passersby could touch the head of the lions for good luck, and offer them a red envelope as a sign of gratitude and respect. The envelopes could be bought inside V-Roll. After offering the envelope, the lions would bow their heads to the customers.

two red costumes of chinese lions standing with a man in yellow. — The Suncoast Asian Cultural Association performed the traditional lion dance in front of V-Roll.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

The Lion Dance

Catherine Urban, a member of the Suncoast Asian Cultural Association, had been a part of the dragon paddling and dancing community for 15 years, and loved performing for communities like Gulfport. At their V-Roll performance, she worked as a coordinator holding phones and navigating the headsets that the dancers wore to know their cues.

“I know how much goes into it with the routine and sticking to the culture,” she said. The most important traditions of the drums, fire crackers, and lions for the Lunar New Year are believed to drive away evil spirits and negative energy.

a red costume of chinese lion walking by people sitting at tables under green umbrellas. — V-Roll hosted their first Lunar New Year festival Feb. 21 with lion dancers, a wishing tree, and plenty of delicious Vietnamese food.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

Lunar New Year at V-Roll

Stephanie Ngheim opened V-Roll’s doors Aug. 1 and has loved bringing new traditions to the neighborhood. Being part Chinese and part Vietnamese, the festival was an important part of her childhood memories in Colorado.

“We don’t just want good luck for the business, but for everyone,” said Ngheim. “I want to spread the culture and positive vibes, especially after the hurricane. Keep Gulfport strong.”

Ngheim had family friends Jamie, Blake, Jackson, and Baylor Luallin helping out with a “skip the line” window in the front, selling spring rolls, egg rolls, and drinks. The family moved from Colorado to Florida with Ngheim, who promised to pay the kids for their labor in boba.

a child playing with a drum and drumsticks — Baylor Luallin playing the drums after the lion performance.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

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two bowls of Vietnamese food. — Stephanie Ngheim opened V-Roll in August 2025, and has loved bringing new traditions to the neighborhood.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

“The flavors are amazing, the chicken is so tender,” said Jim MacGregor. Him and his wife, Sherry, arrived after the lion dance, just in time for the rush.

“It’s like organized chaos in there, they know what they’re doing,” said Sherry MacGregor, expressing her surprise at how efficient the staff was with the high volume of customers.

a yellow tree with red envelopes with wishes written on them. — People could write their wishes and hang them on this Lunar New Year wishing tree.
*Photo by Amelie Brazelton*

It was the couple’s first time at V-Roll, and they were overwhelmed by the variety in choices. After ordering the build your own bowl and boba, they stood out front to eat their meal and enjoy the atmosphere.

After the dance, customers enjoyed live music on the patio out back, yet another enthusiastic performance to end the celebration.

V-Roll, 2930 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Mondays. vrollrestaurant.com, 720-474-0544.

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