Grand Rapids Asian Festival: A joyous new event debuts in downtown Grand Rapids

On Saturday, June 10, 2017, the Grand Rapids Asian Festival will debut in downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Park Circle from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

In anticipation of this wondrous new event held in the heart of our city, Rapid Growth wants to shine a warm spotlight on a series of images created earlier this year by photographer Two Eagles Marcus. 

These images from Marcus showcase the rich and beautiful diversity of the many countries that will represented at the Grand Rapids Asian Festival. They also showcase an array of individuals who work, live, and play alongside us (and often in Western fashions), but as we see illustrated here, these people have deep and meaningful roots connected to their diverse heritages. 

Alma Reed in a Filipino mestiza dressLinda Dang in a Vietnamese áo dàiCindy Molnar in a Chinese cheongsamLeela Dhakel in a SareeDon Hua in a Chinese tangzhuangMichelle Nguyen in a Vietnamese áo dàiLily Willmer in a Filipino mestiza dressReynaldino Marasigan in a Filipino barongHarsha Luitel and Puja DhakelLiu Yan He in a Chinese cheongsamSanta Subba in a sareeJimmy Le in a Vietnamese áo dàiThis special one-day event that will not just offer the best in Asian cuisine but presents an opportunity to enjoy Taiko drumming, Lion and Pacific Island dancers, martial arts demonstrations, vocalists, a ninja hairstylist, and a live Asian band. There will even be a karaoke contest led by DJ Ace Marasigan mixing Asian dance music.

Author Maya Angelou once said, “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” I can think of no better opportunity to expand on this truth than at the 2017 Grand Rapids Asian Festival.

The Future Needs All of Us.

Tommy Allen
Publisher
Rapid Growth

Photography ©2017 Two Eagles Marcus