CelebrAsian 2025: In Full Bloom

May 13, 2025

On Friday, May 23^rd, and Saturday, May 24^th, you can travel to fifteen different Asian and Pacific Islander villages without leaving downtown Des Moines. The vibrant theme of this year’s CelebrAsian is “In Full Bloom: 50 Years Ray of Freedom.”

Image provided by Iowa Asian Alliance Artwork by Jenny Thai

The Annual Asian Heritage Festival is traditionally held in May to celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Iowa Asian Alliance Excecutive Director Nu Huynh said, “This year’s festival is especially meaningful, it marks 50 years since Southeast Asian refugees began resettling in the U.S. What has grown since is extraordinary: families, communities, and generations defined not just by where we came from, but by what we’ve built.”

CelebrAsian is hosted by the Iowa Asian Alliance and presented by Bravo Greater Des Moines and Prairie Meadows. It will be held in Western Gateway Park and will feature live entertainment, including singing and dancing, as well as performances by the Asian Queens.

The cultural festival will feature 15 villages showcasing cultural exhibits and serving authentic local cuisine. There will be a market bazaar, arts and crafts, a cultural fashion show, and cooking demonstrations. Festival attendees can watch demonstrations of robotics, martial arts, a table tennis tournament, and Takraw (a form of kick volleyball played with a rattan ball). There will also be health and wellness exhibits, inflatables for the kids, plus over 80 vendors.

“In Full Bloom” includes a flower carefully selected by each country or culture. “We wanted each participating village to choose a flower that represents their culture and beauty,” stated Huynh.

Keo Pierron and Jenny Thai worked to create the lively graphic designs for the festival. Pierron designed the lady in bloom, and Thai designed the logo for the 50-year commemoration.

Villages and Flowers

Cambodia – Romduol

China – Peony

Philippines – Jasmine

Hmong – Poppy

India – Lotus

Indonesia – Jasmine

Japan – Cherry Blossom

Korea – Rose of Sharon

Laos – Plumeria

Micronesia - Hibiscus

Myanmar – Padauk

Nepal – Rhododendron

Tai Dam – Banana Blossom

Thailand – Orchid

Vietnam – Lotus

Image provided by Iowa Asian Alliance Artwork by Keo Pierron

Huynh explained the significance of this year’s floral theme, “Being 'in full bloom' means celebrating our growth and the deep roots of hope and resilience that ground us. With each generation, we bloom brighter, stronger, and with greater purpose.”

“In Full Bloom: 50 Years Ray of Freedom” commemorates the instrumental role Governor Robert Ray had in bringing Southeast Asian refugees to Iowa beginning in 1975.