The twice-postponed annual event reaffirmed the unity and optimism among the twenty-plus Asian American groups in the Charlotte region.
Celebrating Resilience
The 2021 Asian Festival & Dragon Boat Race
On a perfect October day, this twice-delayed event finally had its day at Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius, the same venue where Asian Pacific Heritage Month of May has been celebrated since 2006. As in years past, our partners included Visit Lake Norman, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and the Charlotte Dragon Boat Association.
The essential components of the festival experience provided a nexus of cultural interaction — cultural showcases of countries, authentic Asian street food booths galore, colorful, live stage performances, and a new Search for the Best in Performing Arts. Fewer teams than usual may have participated in the Dragon Boat Race due to the pandemic, but the racing was no less exciting. And the event welcomed two new visiting teams from Atlanta.
While continuing to abide by North Carolina's COVID-19 guidelines, the event conveyed a message of hope and joy, and gave the AAPI community an opportunity to reconnect with friends and neighbors. The event also reaffirmed the unity and optimism among the twenty-plus ethnic groups in the region and their mutual support to overcome social prejudice toward the AAPI community. All in all, it was a highly successful festival on an absolutely gorgeous day.
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Festival Photo Gallery
Karolyn Dalton showcases her athleticism.
Karolyn Dalton showcases her athleticism.
Carolina Korean Drums perform “O Woor Lim,” led by Han Kim.
Carolina Korean Drums perform “O Woor Lim,” led by Han Kim.
Parade of AAPI nations to open the Asian Festival.
Parade of AAPI nations to open the Asian Festival.
Dr. and Mrs. Ky-Hyun Chun receive the AAPI Community Award
Dr. and Mrs. Ky-Hyun Chun receive the AAPI Community Award
A perfect day for dragon boat racing
A perfect day for dragon boat racing
Just having fun
Just having fun
Lena Chun Lee, co-founder of Asian Festival, receives a commemorative coffee table book with 20 years of the festivals from editor Jenny Tang.
Lena Chun Lee, co-founder of Asian Festival, receives a commemorative coffee table book with 20 years of the festivals from editor Jenny Tang.
Ms. Nina Chan and Mr. John Liu perform Brindisi, from La Traviata.
Ms. Nina Chan and Mr. John Liu perform Brindisi, from La Traviata.
The end of a satisfying day.
The end of a satisfying day.
New dance moves.
New dance moves.
Michelle Quinn and James Sisomseune of CDBA with dragon friend
Michelle Quinn and James Sisomseune of CDBA with dragon friend
Indian beauty Ritika dancing the classic “Shabdam” with elan.jpg
Indian beauty Ritika dancing the classic “Shabdam” with elan.jpg
Fesetival volunteers strike a pose
Fesetival volunteers strike a pose
Another close race
Another close race
Ms. Mei Yu Wang sings a Chinese folk song .jpg
Ms. Mei Yu Wang sings a Chinese folk song .jpg
Miss and Mr. Vietnam Carolina 2020 court in fashion parade.
Miss and Mr. Vietnam Carolina 2020 court in fashion parade.
Nimish Bhatt leads the Parade of Nations.
Nimish Bhatt leads the Parade of Nations.
The food was plentiful
The food was plentiful
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police at their booth.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police at their booth.
Spin the wheel win a prize.
Spin the wheel win a prize.
Ms. Krista Terrell of ASC dots the eye
Ms. Krista Terrell of ASC dots the eye
Hmong “Pixi Dust” Group
Hmong “Pixi Dust” Group
Mecklenburg County Commissioner Mark Jerrell dots the eye
Mecklenburg County Commissioner Mark Jerrell dots the eye
Philippine Dance Team “Singkil”-1st Place winners
Philippine Dance Team “Singkil”-1st Place winners
Plenty of items to choose from.
Plenty of items to choose from.
Focusing on proper form.
Focusing on proper form.
Festival-goers enjoyed a perfect autumn day
Festival-goers enjoyed a perfect autumn day
Medal time.
Medal time.
Aloha Island Hula Girls-3rd Place Winners
Aloha Island Hula Girls-3rd Place Winners
Dr. Ky-Hyun Chun dots the eye
Dr. Ky-Hyun Chun dots the eye
Game faces.
Game faces.
NTX Hais Hli NRA Hmong Dance Team
NTX Hais Hli NRA Hmong Dance Team
Festival participants pose together.
Festival participants pose together.
It's all in the technique
It's all in the technique
Chinese Pacific Arts Troupe perform.
Chinese Pacific Arts Troupe perform.
If you couldn't find something good to eat, you weren't looking
If you couldn't find something good to eat, you weren't looking
Lining up for the start.
Lining up for the start.
Another cultural showcase.
Another cultural showcase.
Princess Gandingan-Janette Byrley. Lady in Waiting with umbrella-Elvie Bramich.
Princess Gandingan-Janette Byrley. Lady in Waiting with umbrella-Elvie Bramich.
Building community between races
Building community between races
Hannah and Leo Chan of NCAAC and State Rep. David Willis
Hannah and Leo Chan of NCAAC and State Rep. David Willis
First time Pacific Islanders are included in the Asian Festival.
First time Pacific Islanders are included in the Asian Festival.
Pinoy Noir Band, all doctors group, photographed by Dr. Nini, %22The Search%22 Founder
Pinoy Noir Band, all doctors group, photographed by Dr. Nini, %22The Search%22 Founder
Enjoying the day together.
Enjoying the day together.
The FBI at the Festival
The FBI at the Festival
Cultural Showcase
Cultural Showcase
Food Lion's fresh local produce stand.
Food Lion's fresh local produce stand.
It's not a festival without meat on a stick
It's not a festival without meat on a stick
Bubble tea, anyone
Bubble tea, anyone
Down to the wire
Down to the wire
Festival-goers line up for lunch
Festival-goers line up for lunch
Watching the race
Watching the race
Beware the dragon
Beware the dragon
On-stage at the festival
On-stage at the festival
A festival-goer enjoys some shade
A festival-goer enjoys some shade
On blue waters under blue skies.
On blue waters under blue skies.
Express yourself.
Express yourself.
Teamwork on the water and off.
Teamwork on the water and off.
The local NBA team was there too.
The local NBA team was there too.
Ready for the race