Welcome to Seattle Center
Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration will take place May 2: 11am-5pm in the Armory Food & Event Hall. The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. It is free and open to the public.
Seattle Center Festál is a year-round series of 25 free cultural festivals, produced in partnership with community organizations. In 2022, Festál celebrated 25 years of stories and traditions, ushering in a new era of hybrid programming. Learn more about Festál and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.
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Time |
Activity/Performance |
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11:00am |
Mak Fai Lion Dance |
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11:15am |
Opening Remarks · Taylor Ahana, Co-host · Veni Folta, Co-host · Native Land Acknowledgment Welcoming Remarks · Michael Itti, Co-Chairperson, Asian Pacific Directors Coalition · Lt Sage Farewell, SPD West Precinct |
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11:30am |
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11:45am |
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12:00pm |
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12:15pm |
Speak With Purpose Scholars: Brandon P., LC H., and Xiaolon M. |
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12:30pm |
Trivia hosted by Dr. Jerry Nguyen and Susan Ishii-Yin |
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12:45pm |
Fur Coats & Backpacks: The Travel Cats Hit the Road - Book Reading with Mari Ichimasu |
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1:00pm |
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1:15pm |
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1:30pm |
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1:45pm |
Sound of Korea |
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2:00pm |
Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest emceed by John Chen |
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2:20pm |
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2:30pm |
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2:45pm |
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3:00pm |
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3:15pm |
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3:30pm |
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3:45pm |
Samoan Siva Afi Warrior Markus Niuamoa |
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4:00pm |
Trivia hosted by Dr. Jerry Nguyen and Susan Ishii-Yin |
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4:15pm |
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4:30pm |
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4:45pm |
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5:00pm |
Closing Remarks |
OVERVIEW
Seattle Center Festál presents Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration (AANHPIHMC) in partnership with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC). The festival marks the beginning of the officially proclaimed and recognized Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific American Heritage Month (AANHPIHM) of May. It aims to preserve and promote the culture, heritage, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, South Asian, and Pacific Islanders.
The family friendly celebration brings together local community groups presenting cultural and modern performances along with community resource tables, children’s activities, educational displays, food trucks and booths, and local vendors.
HISTORY
Information provided by Asian Pacific Directors Coalition
Asian Pacific Islander celebrations began in the 1970s, when student groups and coalitions at local high school and colleges organized events to showcase the rich heritage and diversity of their communities.
In 1982, the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC) was formed to support many events in the Greater Seattle area. APDC is comprised of executive directors, board presidents, and community leaders from local non-profits, civil rights organizations, educational institutions, and government entities. APDC advocates for the needs of the API community, offers a platform for collaboration, and supports professional/organizational development.
In 2002, APDC formed a sub-committee to organize the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration and joined Seattle Center Festál under the leadership of Alan ‘Al’ Sugiyama, a long-time community activist, first chairperson of APDC, and the first Asian American elected to the Board of Directors for Seattle Public Schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
The API community represents over 26 different ethnic communities with over 67 unique languages and dialects.
Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander make up in 20.7% of the population in King County, Washington.
The full month of May was officially designation Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1990 and has now been renamed Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration.
