The Cleveland Asian Festival was the place to be last weekend, May 18 and 19, with a record 47,000 people attending the two-day celebration of Asian food and culture.

The festival’s expanded footprint this year allowed everyone to spread out and enjoy event more fun—with 50% more food and drink vendors than in past years, and a record 48 stage performances in two stages. And more than 100 volunteers kept everything running smoothly.

“We are very excited that this 15th anniversary, we get a good weather and worked out the kinks for the new expanded area, while minimized the wait time for many who came to enjoy the food and a great show,” says Cleveland Asian Festival co-founder Johnny Wu.

Local leaders and elected officials were in attendance, including Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi, Garfield Heights Mayor Matt Burke, and Cleveland Ward 7 Council member Stephanic D. Howse.

Rebecca Cahill, FreshWater Cleveland’s community relations manager, represented FreshWater and signed up new subscribers at the event.

“Cleveland Asian Festival was a blast,” she says. “It was such a pleasure meeting so many of our loyal FreshWater readers, sharing the good news with new readers, and sipping on bubble tea.”

In addition to meeting FreshWater readers, Cahill raffled off two gift baskets full of items generously donated by our partners—each valued at more than $500.

“Everyone was so impressed by our raffle baskets thanks to our awesome partners,” she says. “What a gorgeous event!”

The lucky winners of the raffle were Nylah Patterson and Basil Wong.

Patterson won a basket containing:

• A one-year membership to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which allows Patterson to attend ticketed exhibitions and monthly MIX events featuring art, music, and cocktails.
• One free ad in FreshWater Cleveland, as well as a FreshWater mug and T-shirt.
• Cookie cutters, a leather notebook, and other goodies from MAGNET.
• T-shirts and other goodies from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Wong won a basket containing:

• An overnight stay at Kimpton Schofield Hotel in downtown Cleveland.
• Gift certificates and a yeti from Dr. Diana Ponsky of Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery.
• One free ad in FreshWater Cleveland, as well as a FreshWater T-shirt.
• Cookie cutters, a leather notebook, and other goodies from MAGNET.
• T-shirts and other goodies from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Additionally, both winners received The Deck coupon books from Cleveland Independents.

FreshWater was honored to once again be a media partner in the Cleveland Asian Festival.

Wu is already looking forward to next year being even bigger and better. “We are also excited that the Cleveland Asian Festival [will see] additional expansion next year, which will be May 17 and 18, 2025,” he says.