In the Year of the Rabbit, it seems appropriate to multiple the number of Asian festivities by adding a new Spring Festival celebrating the Lunar New Year. On Saturday, February 11, Asia Trend proudly presented the first annual SpringFest in Avalon Park, Orlando. This outdoor festival located in Avalon Town Park offered a diverse range of entertainment from dragon dances, kung fu and tai chi demonstrations, cultural fashion shows, traditional dance, and music from multiple of countries along with 48 vendors and food trucks to give anyone who attended an Asian cultural experience stimulating all five senses.
Opening the festival was Commissioner Gomez Cordero with all performances taking place on the Avalon Town Park main stage hosted by a trio of emcees from the Orlando chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP); Amy Akamine, President, Minh-Thi Dang, Vice President and Onchantho Am, Secretary. Besides introducing the performances, the NAAAP emcees provided awareness on key initiatives impacting the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community; to include Asian American history in K-12 public schools curriculum by Make Us Visible (https://makeusvisible.org) and to increase AAPI voters by grassroots non-partisan group, Asian Americans Coming Together (ACT).
Avalon Park Orlando partnered with Asia Trend for the Moon Over Avalon Mid-Summer Festival in September. Both festivals draw a thousand attendees and provides an opportunity for audience participation with pre-festival cultural workshops. A lantern making workshop occurs in September and a Lucky Red Envelope making workshop took place on January 28 hosted by Thuyen May Productions and Avalon Park Arts and Culture Center. Participants can showcase their lanterns and exchange envelopes during each festival.
SpringFest was made possible with the generous support from Title sponsor: Denny’s Corporation, Gold sponsors: Mei’s supermarket and Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple, Silver sponsor: Cino International Realty and Events partners: Orlando Taiko Dojo, Thuyen May Productions, Orlando Hanqing Taiji Culture and Art Center, and Avalon Park Arts and Culture Center.
Thank you to all the local artists, non-profit organizations, business vendors, food vendors and guests who attended.
- Te Tyme
- Mei’s Supermarket
- LetTrySome
- Asian Beauty Essentials
- Jade Rooster Creations
- KANKI’S Peachade LLC
- Essential Artis Soap, LLC
- Smarra Dream Vacations
- O2B Kids
- CAACF
- Chinese School of CAACF
- Emine Firik
- Make Us Visible Florida
- Indulgences Unique Pieces Lust Jewelry
- @nadiaracheddesign
- YMCA of Central Florida
- NuSpine Chiropractic
- Soleate Shop
- Renewal by Andersen
- Oasis jewelry
- Beau By angi
- Tk toys
- J&R Motivation and More LLC,
- Shen Yun
- UF College of Pharmacy – ASPC
- Orange County Fire Rescue
- Orlando Korea Culture Center
- Sweet Rolled Tacos Florida
- The Tea Social
- Meng’s Kitchen
- Sweet Shiba
- Bao Houz LLC
- Ahmad Kanjeh
- Crepe food truck
- Pasta&Grill
- Maya’s Merienda and Asian St Foods
- Thai-rific Beverages
- Indonesia Cuisine
- Bom Grill
- BENTO asian kitchen + sushi
- Chewy Boba Company
A huge Thank you to the Performing groups:
- Dragon Dance: C.H.A.R.G.E. Dragon Boat team
- Tai Chi Demonstration: Orlando HanQing Tai Chi Culture and Art Center
- Traditional Chinese Instrumental Music: Mr. Changkui Tang
- Hanfu Fashion Show: Orlando Hanfu Club
- Vietnamese Fashion Show: Miss Vietnam Florida and Court
- Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstration: Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple
- Vietnamese Dance: Thuyen May Productions
- Modern Dance: American Arts & Athletics
- Indian Dance: Devyani Dancer
- Indonesian Dance: Indonesian Cultural Group
- Japanese Taiko Performance: Orlando Taiko Dojo
- Traditional Vietnamese Instrumental Music: Mr. Nhut Bui
- Instrumental Duet: Mr. Gary CK Lau and Mr. Nhut Bui
