Inaugural Asian Fest 2023
Community members came together to celebrate the inaugural 2023 Coralville Asian Fest May 13.
Derek Hua ’25 and Nathan Chen ’23 pose in cuts outs of traditional Chinese clothing at Asian Fest 2023.
From 12-6 p.m., vendors, performers and community members gathered in ST Morrison Park to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and participate in the first-ever Coralville Asian Festival.
Prior to the performances, local vendors and organizations were set up for everyone to enjoy. If you were hungry, you could stop by for Filipino BBQ and Chinese spring rolls and quench your thirst with Nimbu Pani, a traditional Indian lemonade. Many tables were set to sell and showcase cultural goods, plants and clothes.
Henna, origami, calligraphy and game booths allowed the community to enjoy and engage with the cultures. After being briefly interrupted by a passing thunderstorm, the performances kicked off on the main stage. Many community members, including West High students, participated in showcasing their cultures through songs, dances and fashion.
Organizers of Asian Fest Ming Lodh, Jennifer Nguyen, Hai Huynh and Omega Dancel took the stage at the beginning and conclusion of the festival to give a speech to commemorate the festival. Other speakers included Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster and Johnson County Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz.
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