Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Culture at CelebrAsian Zodiac 2024
Iowans have been fortunate to celebrate and experience Asian and Pacific Islander culture at an annual festival in Des Moines since 2003 after the formation of the Iowa Asian Alliance in 2002. CelebrAsian is held the weekend of Memorial Day to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. This year the festival will welcome attendees from near and far on Friday, May 24th and Saturday, May 25th from 11am to 10pm in Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. This is the 21st year of this annual event.
CelebrAsian Zodiac 2024 boasts an exciting Asian Zodiac theme which includes a vast array of engaging and educational activities, as well as impressive entertainment for all ages. According to CelebrAsian chair, Lisa Thai, there will be over seventy-five set-ups including villages, vendors, sponsors at the festival.
Stage performances will include acts such as open karaoke, traditional and modern dance, a martial arts demonstration, a Samurai show, a Taiko drum performance, performances by several festival villages, break dancing, and a cultural fashion show. Friday and Saturday evening will feature Asian Queens, an Asian drag show, a live dj, and America’s Got Talent 2023 contestant , Roland Abante, from the Philippines.
Drumming Group Video by Jane Nguyen
Hmong dancers from Minnesota Video by Jane Nguyen
Festival chair, Thai, sums up CelebrAsian in three words, “Unity, diversity, and celebration.” She encourages all to attend the event ensuring an unforgettable blend of fun and cultural enrichment for all attendees.
Here are her tips for attending the festival for the first time:
1. Location and Parking - CelebrAsian takes place at Western Gateway Park, with free parking available at the Nationwide Parking Ramp on 12th and Locust. Arrive early to secure a spot and avoid long lines.
2. Timing - The festival opens at 11 am, so consider arriving early to beat the crowds and make the most of the day. Stay until closing to fully immerse yourself in the festivities and enjoy all the free entertainment.
3. Family-Friendly - CelebrAsian welcomes families and even furry friends (on a leash), ensuring a wholesome experience for everyone.
4. Exploration - With over 75 village setups, vendors, and sponsors, there's plenty to explore. Take your time to wander through the various offerings, indulge in delicious Asian cuisine, and partake in the free entertainment.
5 Enjoyment - Most importantly, come with an open mind and a spirit of celebration! Whether you're there to savor the diverse culinary delights, learn about different cultures, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere, CelebrAsian promises a memorable experience for all.
Other attractions include a traditional lion dance, market bazaar, inflatables for kids, health and wellness booths, an auto show, robotics demonstrations by local students, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits, a culinary tent with cooking demonstrations sponsored by Hy-Vee, and taste after taste of authentic food for purchase.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy watching the table tennis tournament, as well as a takraw tournament. Takraw will take place on the lawn of the Downtown Public Library and is sponsored by Bridgestone Firestone. This fascinating sport originates from Asia and is known as kick or foot volleyball. Players can only use their feet, knee, chest, or head to pass the rattan ball back and forth across the net. Players must be quick and very flexible as they often dive or kick their leg straight into the air to touch the ball.
There will be many cultures represented at the festival through food, music, fashion, and cultural displays within festival villages including Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Marshallese, Micronesian, Myanmar, Nepalese, Tai Dam, Thai, and Vietnamese. This year’s featured village is the Vietnamese Village. The Vietnamese American Community of Iowa will perform the opening ceremony on Saturday.
Visit the Iowa Asian Alliance and Iowa Asian Alliance Facebook for more information, plus specific dates and times. There is no entrance fee to enjoy the festival and entertainment.
“Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures at CelebrAsian, one of the Iowa’s largest cultural events! Join us for a diverse and exciting festival showcasing authentic food, cultural exhibits, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Immerse yourself in the richness of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage without leaving Iowa. Don't miss this highly anticipated event of the year. Experience the warmth, flavors, and traditions of Asia and the Pacific Islands at CelebrAsian.”
-Iowa Asian Alliance
I’m proud to be a member of the Iowa Writers Collabortive:
Hi Jane. My name is Brent Cunningham, I'm the executive editor of the Food & Environment Reporting Network. We're soliciting pitches for possible inclusion in an upcoming package with Eater, and I wondered if you would be interest in submitting something? Here is the information from Eater, but ideally we would move this conversation to email. If you want to reach out to brent@thefern.org.
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