
By Ilean Her
Saturday, July 14 dawned with sunlight and a promise of hotter than usual weather. By 8:00 am, staff and volunteers of the Dragon Festival were busy triaging between the do.® walk 5K Walk Around Lake Phalen walkers, vendors, and dragon boat race participants directing them where to go, how to set up, and do all the things needed to kick-start, greet, and or serve at another festival. There was confusion, lots of noises and activity, but in the midst of all this, there was a unifying hum by all involved to do their best to make this Dragon Festival the most successful it’s ever been.
The Dragon Festival officially started with an Opening Ceremony at 11:00 am with a dragon dance, drumming, and parade provided by Korean Traditional Music Association with Jang Mi and Hui’s Lucky Dragon. And shortly thereafter, dragon boats were off and racing on Lake Phalen. 25 boat racing teams, sponsored by local companies and nonprofit organizations participated with teams competing for best time, best overall times, and best team spirit awards. In a move popular with the festival attendees, pre-trial and official races ran the length of both days.
By Noon on Saturday, the Dragon Festival was in full swing and did not stop until Sunday evening. Attendance is estimated at 12,000.
Modern and traditional renderings of music, dance, and song from various Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups were featured on the Cultural Performance Stage. In the Martial Arts Demonstration Area, more than a dozen differing schools along with their masters and students demonstrated the many forms and styles of martial arts among them are karate, judo, tai chi, kung-fu. Audience members were drawn in and taught basic skills by some of the schools.
Families had opportunities to view and or directly engage in activities that educate and teach about the cultures and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at the Target tent, the WellsFargo Children Activities Tent, and or the Council’s “Reading Together” tent.
Every festival is a new festival with new experiences and memories. Thank you all for partaking in the Dragon Festival this year. Your continued attendance, participation and support are invaluable to the festival’s success. July 2013 will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Dragon Festival in Phalen Park. As I look forward, I call out to dedicated volunteers and past committee members who love and cherish the Dragon Festival to join us on the planning committee. We need your time, talent, and energy to plan a special and truly best ever Dragon Festival.
Save the Date: July 13 & 14, 2013 – 10th Dragon Festival Anniversary
For more information about Dragon Festival please visit www.dragonfestival.org
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Asian Pacific Teens’ Resource Fair and Exposition 2012 Recap
First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone who came including resource vendors, guest performers and volunteers who contributed their time to us that day. The event would not have been as enriching and fun for the community and children without their efforts.
The resource fair exposed the youth to a variety of issues such as racism, bullying and smoking. There were also many educational resources provided by groups like the Asian Sorority Interest Group and American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
On top of showcasing their talents during the performances, the APYC youth also took the opportunity to bring to light the plight of human trafficked victims in Minnesota. The guest performers tied brought the exposition up one notch with their expertise in traditional song and dance from multiple countries.
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If you know a youth who would like to be involved with the Asian Pacific Youth Council, we will be hosting the annual Asian Pacific Youth Leadership retreat this June in the beautiful Vermillion Community College campus up in Ely, Minnesota. Please click here for more details and applications.
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Posted by Michelle Sham on June 4, 2012 in CAPM Events, General Comments