The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival was held at the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park downtown Tampa last Saturday, March 22, 2025. Due to the good weather, this year’s attendance surpassed the previous two years’ attendance of more than 10,000 people enjoying the performances, food of nations, exhibitors, and exciting merchandise vendors.
The festival opened with the color guards from the Tampa Police parading the flag of America, followed by the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by last year’s winner of the first-ever Asian Pacific IDOL, Clark Panugalinog of the Philippines. Mayor Jane Castor and Mariben Andersen gave their welcome speeches to the enthusiastic crowd. Finally, to open the festival, the SACA Dragon and Lion dancers gathered the crowd for a fantastic opening.
Then one by one, a fabulous and colorful kaleidoscope of local performers from China, Qipao Taem, Vietnam, a variety of Hawaiian, New Zealand, and other Pacific Islands followed. Then came the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Korea performing cultural folk dances. Modern dances from the recent K-POP Competition winning Team, the Kharisma Krew, and the D’DIVAS of Evacare were also modern. There was even a full Chinese orchestra playing unique Chinese instruments that played two beautiful Chinese musical pieces. A breathtaking Taekwondo demonstration was also presented by the World Champion Taekwondo Team, with a performer flying up more than 20 feet in the air.
For those who were hungry and adventurous, various food vendors from the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan, and more offered a selection that was hard to ignore.
For souvenir shoppers, fabulous merchandise vendors sold everything from fresh orchid blooms to Indian statues, jewelry, and house decor. Even a Vietnamese vendor sold traditional Vietnamese outfits for all sizes. Corporate sponsors, exhibitors, and non-profit organizations also joined the festival as vendors.
The festival, now in its third year, is a project of the City of Tampa Mayor’s AAPI Advisory Council, headed by the president, Mariben Andersen. The council comprises members from different Asian Pacific Islander countries in Tampa Bay.
For those who missed it, you missed a fantastic event, but we hope to see you next year again!!! And don’t miss it. It will be even better in 2026.
Photos by ARIEL SINCO PHOTOGRAPHY
