Archives > Plano Star-courier > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
AsiaFest to display diverse cultures
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff Writer
Instead of flying thousands of miles to experience the Asian heritage, one can enjoy the diverse cultures right here in Plano.
Celebrating Asian American Heritage Foundation (CAAHF) will host AsiaFest 2007 from noon-5 p.m. May 6 at Haggard Park. The different mix of Plano's Asian population will include ethnicities from China, Japan, Korea, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and more.
The local Asian communities will share five hours of performances with the community including fashion shows, traditional dances and musical instruments. Activities such as calligraphy, origami, martial arts and Mah-jongg will be demonstrated.
Foods from different areas of the world will also be available for the curious and the hungry.
Plano's Planning Department senior planner, Steve Sims, said the Asian community in Plano has almost doubled in the past five years. He said based on the 2005 census the Asian community has evolved from 22,518 to 40,511.
With the growing population, CAAHF president Stephen Li said he believes that diversity is a strength Plano has adhered to in the past several years.
"The world is coming together and Plano is an example of that," Li said. "We believe if people get to know each other more and understand heritage, then they can get along much better."
Wahab said the main purpose of the event is to get the public involved and spread the word of diversity in Plano effectively.
Li said more than 50 booths including community and commercial have agreed to participate this year. Plano organizations, such as Plano Independent School District and the Plano Police Department participate every year.
Wahab said the committee partnered with DART, who is sending the message to people in other areas. Medical Center of Plano and imaginasiantv are also platinum sponsors for the festival.
CAAHF includes about 20 members who Wahab said are very hardworking and dedicated.
"Everyone has different duties in putting the festival together, but we all pitch in for everything," Wahab said.
The main duties of CAAHF is to organize this festival each year, however Wahab said the group is involved in charity events and sponsor various seminars. She said they also get involved in the local community in order to be visible to the public.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons sflemmons@acnpapers.com
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
