Mark your calendars! Anne Arundel County is getting its first, highly-anticipated Asian American Festival at the Anne Arundel Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 7, from 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Alongside ABC Events, The Peake Life will host the festival, a company focused on creating exceptional events and moments in the Chesapeake region. I chatted with founder, Jeremiah Batucan, to bring you everything you need to know before you go and the ins and outs of the festival:
- How did the festival idea come about? The idea for the festival stems from the desire to celebrate Asian American heritage. My father immigrated to the United States when he was very young, and I’m very proud of my Filipino roots. The goal is to provide a platform for local artisans, performers, and food vendors to share their talents and traditions with a broader audience.
- What kind of food and drinks will there be? Expect a diverse array of Asian cuisine, served street-style and traditionally, from various regions, including Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, and more. Pancit, kimchi, gua baos, pho, and halo halo are just a snapshot of the delicious foods that’ll be at the festival. In terms of beverages, there will be boba teas, Asian beers that can be enjoyed in our Cherry Blossom beer garden, Asian whiskey samples, and other Asian-inspired drinks like yoju (Korean yogurt soju). We’ve spent a lot of time curating and seeking out the best Asian food vendors in this area, and you don’t want to miss the line-up that our food curator, Julia, has put together.
- Will there be shopping? We will have over 20 vendors bringing everything from arts and crafts, jewelry, fashion, makeup, and more.
- What kind of entertainment will there be? We will have a variety of performances and live music, including lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations (Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Filipino Kali Stick Fighting), DJ Manila, JAGMAC, Mabuhay, and more!
- Is the event kid-friendly? Yes, this festival is family-friendly, with activities for children like ping pong tables and yard games. Kids under 14 are free!
- How can I stay up to date about the festival? Check out our social media channels (Instagram or Facebook) for more information!
Tickets are currently $10 plus processing fees until Thursday, April 4, after which tickets will increase to $15. Don’t wait to purchase your tickets because this event may sell out!
If you would like to volunteer, message The Peake Life via their social media channels (Instagram or Facebook) or via Jeremiah’s email. Volunteers will receive free entry and only need to work part time.
See ya there!
Author: Sarah Amyot
Sarah wears many hats - mom of two young boys, two doggos, wife, project manager, and small business owner. She is passionate about the community and is involved in several nonprofits that serve AACo. Some of her favorite things include fried chicken, sci-fi movies, music, and Texas football.
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