Plano AsiaFest Returns On May 8 the City of Plano will issue a proclamation declaring it Asia Day here. This important date coincides with Plano AsiaFest, a family-friendly festival that celebrates Asian American heritage. AsiaFest has occurred in Haggard Park every May for the past 18 years – except for last year – and this time it will be presented online. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday, and is free for the public to watch. “We’re excited and interested to gauge the success of it.
It could inform the way we promote the event in the future,” says Feroz Alpaiwalla, AsiaFest chairman. The event is organized by the Celebrating Asian American Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit all-volunteer organization. This year’s festival will include some familiar activities that locals have grown to love. There will be both livestreamed and prerecorded performances showcasing traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese dance, as well as martial arts, cooking, calligraphy, flower ar-
ranging demonstrations and a magic show. AsiaFest has garnered a large following that stretches to nearby towns, counties and even states. The virtual format this year will allow faraway attendees to participate. “This festival gives the viewers an idea of the art, culture and flavors from various Asian countries condensed in a short amount of time,” says Alpaiwalla. In addition to entertainment, there will be helpful information sessions available for the audi-
story Hunter Lacey | photos Jennifer Shertzer 24
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