Asians in the Cleveland, Ohio area represent. Cleveland Asian Festival is a landmark undertaking to unite the community through recognition of its culture, diversity, and people. In a move that highlights their growing presence, unity and influence, leaders and volunteers from Cuyahoga County’s Asian American community are holding Cleveland’s first-ever Asian Festival during national Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on May 22 with 40+ exhibitions and Asian cuisine, 2 stages of performing artists, children fun activities, competitions and health pavilion.

The Cleveland Asian Festival will bring together a diverse array of Asian vendors, exhibitors, artists, performers, health care professionals and visitors. The event is free to the public and will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. along Payne Avenue, between East 27th and East 30th streets, and in Asia Plaza’s main parking lots. This is the heart of AsiaTown, the business district from East 30th to East 40th Streets between St. Clair and Payne Avenues that is home to numerous Asian merchants. The festival aims to introduce AsiaTown’s stores and restaurants to thousands of new people throughout Cuyahoga County. In addition, a health fair with free screenings that will target Asian Americans and address the medical conditions that afflict them most.

Asian Americans make up 2.3 percent of Cuyahoga County’s residents, and they range from Asian Indians, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese to minor Asian ethnic groups. This festival is already generating buzz beyond Cuyahoga County. Planners estimate 5,000 visitors, including many from as far as Toledo, Youngstown and Columbus. Visitors will see a children’s activities area and be able to participate in games and competitions, like Egg Roll Eating Contest, Inflatable Sumo Wrestling, DDR or Karaoke. Visual artists will have displays and local and national performers, including Indian and Japanese drumming, martial arts and Chinese dragon/lion dances, plus others on two stages, an outdoor main stage and a second stage inside Asia Plaza, throughout the day.

Get more details about the festivities here.

1st Annual Cleveland Asian Festival