At Calder Plaza, attendees enjoyed performances by Asian American artists, cultural showcases and a global journey for their taste buds.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival is underway as thousands of attendees came to Calder Plaza on Saturday for the festival’s second day.
People wore traditional Filipino dress and danced along to live music from a Filipino-American rock band, setting the mood as people browsed between vendors selling everything from Hmong cultural gifts, homemade Laotian Eggrolls, Pork Belly Ramen and T-shirts celebrating Asian American culture.
“We want to welcome everyone here,” said organizer Ace Marasigan. “This is a place for us to belong. This place for us to introduce each other and learn from one another.”
Many vendors at the festival were local Asian American-owned businesses, along with various Asian American organizations and groups being represented.
The main stage saw Taiko drummers, a fashion show and a K-Pop dance contest kick off the festival on Friday.
On Saturday, guests were treated to a Lion Dance, a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, various local and traveling Asian American DJs and artists, topped off with traditional Filipino, Vietnamese, and Pacific Island dances.
“We have some contemporary acts in the beginning. We have Hawaiian dancers, we have Vietnamese performers, we have Laos and Filipino bands. It’s just gonna be so much fun,” said Marasigan.
Some attendees also came wearing traditional clothing, and said the festival is an opportunity to celebrate Asian-Pacific culture that has not always been present.
“Growing up I…
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