The Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Courtesy Susan Fried
Enjoy the rich culture and diversity of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities through performances, cuisine, children’s activities, vendors, and more at the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Working to promote Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) culture, heritage, and contributions for current and future generations, along with the general public, the festival aims to give space for AANHPI communities in Washington to share their preserved traditions.
“This year’s festival will showcase more than 40 countries and distinct cultural groups, languages, and customs in our local AANHPI communities,” said Peter Tsai, Chairperson of the AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration Committee. “We will have performances, cuisine, retail vendors, children's activities, and displays from a wide variety of cultures. In addition, we will also have even more food options than previous years, plus interactive games, and surveys.”
The Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest – an annual favorite, named for the late, longtime chair of the festival and community activist- will begin at 2 p.m.
Throughout the day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., traditional and contemporary dance and musical groups will perform, including: The Kompany, Khmer Amarak Performing Arts, Huayin Performing Arts Group, Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon and Lion Dance, Kinnaly, Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, Apex Diabolo, Lincoln High School Vietnamese Student Group, Aakriti Dance Academy, Beatbox Panda, Hula O Lehualani, Sabyu, Seattle Lataki Group, Sayaw (FASA sa UW), Seattle Kokon Taiko, Nance of Guma’ Gela’, and Te Fare O Tamatoa. In addition, Kelly Goto will be reading snippets from her new book, Seattle Samurai: A Cartoonist's Perspective of the Japanese American Experience, on stage.
A wide, indoor selection of local AANHPI retail vendors, and robust food truck and vendor options will be available for visitors to peruse and shop outside the Armory building.
“Every year I look forward to this great family-friendly event for the delicious food alone!” said Heidi Jackson, Seattle Center Managing Artistic Director of Cultural Programs. “It’s so much more than that, of course. Seattle Center’s partnership with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition goes all the way back to 2002 when the festival came to our campus under Alan Sugiyama’s leadership. We’re so happy to continue this long relationship to celebrate so many AANHPI cultures and heritage.”
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 festivals, presented by various cultural organizations and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
Information on the festival is available at www.seattlecenter.com, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.