Fresh Water's managing photographer Bob Perkoski previews the  2017 Cleveland Asian Festival, which returns this year from May 20 – 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Payne Ave. and E. 27th Street with a host of activities, vendors and irresistible food choices.

In its eighth year, the festival will feature cultural enlightenment, fun and health screenings for all ages. Enjoy wonderful Asian cuisines with more than 24 Asian food vendors offering up everything from bubble tea to pot stickers. The exotic World Marketplace will house 150 merchants and exhibitors, while the Activities Pavilion will feature activities sponsored by organizations such as the Children's Museum of Cleveland and Zygote Press.

Entertainment will be non-stop on two stages throughout the weekend and will include performances by groups such as Mame Daiko, the Japanese Taiko drumming ensemble, and perennial crowd favorite, the Kwan Family Lion Dance team. Other activities include AsiaTown guided tours, Sumo Wrestling and the Asian Pop Dance competition.

The event has grown in popularity each year, with the inaugural 2010 festival drawing 10,000 attendees. That number reached 48,800 visitors last year, who lavished more than $2 million at the two-day event.

Download the 2017 Cleveland Asian Festival program for complete scheduling and attraction details.

This 100 percent volunteer event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available at Cleveland State University's and Magnet's lots at E. 24th and Payne Ave. Event organizers ask festival-goers to leave their pets at home.

Fresh Water is a media partner for the Cleveland Asian Festival.