Get ready to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Cleveland and AsiaTown with the neighborhood’s annual Cleveland Asian Festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19.
About to mark its 15th year, the festival has attracted thousands of people to the cultural festival at East 27th Street and Payne Avenue for delicious food, music, entertainment, and games. This year, Cleveland Asian Festival co-founder Johnny Wu promises the weekend will be bigger and better than ever.
“We are very excited because we have a lot more food trucks and more food vendors this year, and we also expanded the footprint of the festival, so people can spread out a little bit,” Wu says. “We have more different, diverse areas that people can check out.”
Cleveland Asian FestivalAs always, the Asian Festival officially kicks off on Saturday, May 18 at 11:30 a.m. with the Kwan Family Lion Dance Team performing the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, followed by an official welcome from the Cleveland Asian Festival organizers. Wu says Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has confirmed he will be attending.
There will be nearly 30 food trucks and food vendors in the Asian Food Court and Food Truck Lane, including Blasian Fusion, Ice or Rice Café, Siam Café, Superior Pho, and Thai It Up. Wu says the new popular 10,000-square-foot street food hall, YY Time, will be cooking up favorites like skewers, dumplings, and soft baos. This year, judges will be tasting all the food, and handing out awards for the best flavors.
Of course, there will be plenty of music, dance, arts, martial arts and drumming demonstrations, and education as well. Wu says DJ Big Sana and DJ Chris Blackfire will be keeping the beats throughout the two days.
“We are going to be highlighting some Asian American Pacific Islander DJs,” he says. “One will be on stage and the other one will be in the back area. We want to bring more local API talent to the Cleveland Asian festival so everybody can experience the excitement.”
Six finalists will compete for $1,000 in the Asian-Pop Cover Dance Competition, while attendees can browse a variety of vendors and exhibitors at the World Marketplace, with additional vendors inside Asia Plaza.
Asia Plaza will also house the Health Pavilion, where guests can receive free health screenings from several local healthcare agencies.
Check out the Asian Festival schedule for a complete listing of events and activities.
The Cleveland Asian Festival, 2999 Payne Ave., runs Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free, with shuttle service included.
FreshWater Cleveland is a media sponsor of Cleveland Asian Festival. We’ll have a table inside Asian Plaza, so stop by to say hi or register for one of two giveaway baskets full of FreshWater swag and gifts from some of our partners, including Cleveland Independents, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Kimpton Scofield Hotel, MAGNET, plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Ponsky, and more!