Asian Cultural Festival

Journey to Asia for the 20th annual festival that features cuisine, arts and other delights.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Ave., The Redland.
Admission: $10 for adults; kids under 12 free.
For more information: www.asianculturefestival.org.

By Rodolfo Roman3/3/2010

A South Florida park will become part of Asia this weekend.

The 20th annual Asian Cultural Festival returns to Fruit and Spice Park (24801 SW 187th Ave.) Saturday and Sunday March 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Kids under 12 enter free.

Founded two decades ago by the Asian American Federation of Florida, the festival attracts more than 10,000 people and features 130 vendors who sell everything from Asian arts and crafts to typical cuisine.

Known for its variety of plant life, the Fruit and Spice Park has hosted the festival, since 1991.

“The park has so many fruit trees from all over the world including from Asia,” said Khanya Moolsiri, president of the Thai American Association, which organizes the event. “It has been popular with the Asian people.”

Food lovers will have a wide range of dishes to choose from as everything from Chinese to Filipino cuisine will be for purchase. Authentic alcoholic beverages from Asia will also be available like Thai beer Chang.

For the first time, the event will feature dancers from Chandrakasem Rajabhat University in Bangkok, Thailand. Also, an Iranian group will come to the event to showcase folklore dances.

Festival-goers will also witness a Malaysian no-hands volleyball tournament known as
Sepak Takraw, Chinese Lion dances, Chinese acrobats, a Dragon boat display and demonstrations of fruit and vegetable carving.

Kids can hear storytelling or see a puppet show. Children can also participate in the Asian passport activity, where they visit different booths and collects stamps on pretend passports. They get a special gift upon completion.