This weekend, Cleveland's AsiaTown will be transformed into a festival celebrating diversity and the Asian Culture in Northeast Ohio. The Cleveland Asian Festival returns May 20-21 and is organized by the community for the community.
One mission the Cleveland Asian Festival has is to educate and promote Asian culture and traditions during Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated annually in May.
"It brings you in a step forward into the community," said Brandon Ngo, Marketing and Volunteer Committee Member. "You come and you see 30,000 40,000 people come out and show out every single year and watch these amazing performances, eat this amazing food. It’s just crazy to see."
The authentic Asian cuisine from over 25 local restaurants will definitely be the star of the show. From Bahn mi and chutney to dumplings and lo mein, there will be a smorgasbord of food that celebrates the diversity of this rich neighborhood.
Andy Ng, owner of Ice or Rice Cafe, told News 5 he has been vendor at the festival for 10 years. The experience helped in growing business popularity. The former pop-up restaurant is known for its cooking classes, live demonstrations and Asian market food tours. However, this year Ng will share the news of his first brick and mortar location with his customers and peers. The restaurant located at 3715 Payne Ave opened just weeks ago.
"We have an extended menu,"; Ng explained. "We’re going to be serving everything that we’re going to have available at the Asian festival, which includes the Okonomiyaki, which is our signature item. [It is] a Japanese style pancake that comes straight from Osaka, one of the food capitals of the world."
In addition to good eats, the festival boasts over 100 World Marketplace vendors and exhibitors, the Colors of Asia Fashion show, an Asian Pop dance competition, music, demonstrations and activities for the whole family.
Niarli Schrader, owner of Akron Henna Art, says she loves the excitement and joy from customers after experiencing her art. Schrader says she learned how to create henna at eight-year-old by her family and Indian culture.
"It’s very relaxing for many people. It’s just a beautiful art," she shared. "It’s all freehand."
In her fifth year as an Asian festival vendor, Schrader says there is no doubt this festival is her favorite.
"Most of the shows that I do it’s like I’m always the minority, but this festival I feel like everyone’s equal. It’s like equally divided. I feel like I am like part of it. It’s very good. I love it."
The festival is set to happen from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free, parking is free, and there will be free shuttle bus rides to and from the festival. Find more info here.
News 5 is a proud media partner of this year's festival.
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