Asia Fest 2020 Photo Courtesy of the Salida SteamPlant Event Center
The Salida Creativity Lab will be hosting the 4th annual Lunar New Year: Asia Fest 2020, a festival that celebrates Asian culture with events beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Salida Creativity Lab’s Tina Gramann provided in an announcement to Ark Valley Voice, “I started this event four years ago because I feel it is important to promote and celebrate cultural diversity in a rural town.”
Many new events have been added to the celebration this year, including a Student Asian Art Show, an appearance from the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Dragon and Lion Association, and an evening of events for adults- only called the “Asian Fusion Lounge Disco Party.”
The Asia Fest 2020 Activities are as follows:
Origami Workshop at the Boys & Girls Club will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Student Art Show at Fun Street Arcade. Students in grades K-12 can enter the art show and win prizes. Students have the opportunity to make a piece of art with an Asian theme. Submissions are due to the Arcade by Friday, Jan. 31. All work submitted will be displayed. Judging and viewing will take place from Feb. 3 through Feb. 9. Winners are announced after the Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8. Prizes will be awarded for the different age groups.
Free Dragon Making Workshops at the Box of Bubbles will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on three different dates; Jan. 29, Jan. 31, and Feb. 7. The community can get their dragon teams together and make a dragon for the parade. Each group needs at least two sessions to make the dragons: the first session to construct and paper mache, and the second session to paint and decorate.
Dragon Parade at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. Join over 200 students and community artists that have been constructing dragons throughout January. Appearances will be made by Salida Circus and Salida Middle School Groove Battalion. Community members will meet at Alpine Park at 2 p.m. before the parade starts. The parade leaves at approximately 2:15 p.m. and travels to Riverside Park. Once in the park, the Art Show awards will be announced, and a special performance by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center Dragon & Lion Dance Team from Denver will take place. This event is free and open to the public.
Asian Fusion Disco Lounge from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Salida SteamPlant. An event for the adults, community members, are encouraged by the Salida Creativity Lab to dress up, consume Asian fusion heavy appetizers catered by Little Cambodia, and enjoy the program by Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center Dragon & Lion Association with a D.J. and dancing. A cash bar will be available, and prizes will be awarded for the swankiest dress. Admission for the event is $15, with limited space available. Those interested in reserving tickets in advance can do so by visiting here.
For more information on any of the events listed above, The Salida Creativity Lab has encouraged those interested in visiting their website and Facebook page.
Thank you, Taylor.