Columbus Asian Festival

Thousands of people from all over Central Ohio and the Midwest will gather in Columbus to enjoy the 15th Annual Asian Festival at Franklin Park, 1777 E. Broad Street in Columbus, on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. The festival is free and open to the public.

“We started the Asian Festival in 1995. Our mission was to showcase our Asian Heritage and Culture to the Central Ohio community. About 10,000 people attended the inaugural Asian Festival,” said Dr. Yung-Chen Lu, one of the founders of the Asian Festival. “Last year was a record year. We’ve grown to more than 140,000 visitors. People come not only from Central Ohio to visit, but we also have guests from across the Midwest who come to experience our Asian Festival.”

The Asian Festival will be open from 10a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 23rd and
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 24th. Admission and parking are free.

The 2009 Asian Festival will feature cultural displays, colorful entertainment, artist demonstrations, delicious food, health and wellness screenings and activities from 15 ethnic groups.

Every year the Festival highlights two countries. This year, the Asian Festival not only brings visitors entertainment from around the globe, but will also highlight entertainment and performances from Korea and South East Asia.

The Asian Festival is also teaming up with the Central Ohio Big Read Project. Amy Tan, the author of the Joy Luck Club will be on hand at the festival to talk with guests and for a book signing.

Additional Highlights:

· Cultural Activities – Each country will have a cultural booth display showcasing richness and cultural traditions in the multipurpose center Throughout the day cultural demonstrations and crafts will be featured in this area.

· Food – Restaurants and food vendors will prepare food that spans the continent from Indonesian Skate skewers to Chinese spicy home-style noodles, green onion pancakes and Philippine fried rice and pancit.

· Entertainment – Includes classical and traditional Asian music and dance to the modern. Groups from around the country state and locally will perform on stage at the Pavilion. To help showcase the festivals’ featured countries: Pak Eun Ha, a traditional Korean drummer will perform along with Pak Hwanyoung, a famous flute and changggo (hour-glass shaped drum) player. .

· Health Pavilion – This year’s Health and Wellness Program is called “Healthy Lifestyle an ounce of Prevention.” Guests will be able to get several different types of free health screenings and talk one on one with medical health educators.

· The Asian festival is once again partnering with the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Komen Race for the Cure to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. The Asian Festival will have a major presence at the Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Columbus on May 16th.

Asian Festival sponsors include the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, The Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council, American Family, Nationwide Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, ABC6 & Fox28 News and Radio One.

More information is available at www.asian-festival.org, via e-mail at chairperson@asian-festival.org or by calling (614) 402-3384.