Sunny Guardians games, green in the Metroparks, concerts at Jacobs Pavilion—and with the Cleveland Asian Festival just around the corner, we can finally say for sure: spring is here.

Held during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) returns this Saturday and Sunday, May 17–18, for its 16th year, taking to the streets of AsiaTown at E. 27^th St. and Payne Avenue for two days of performances, food, shopping, and community pride.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days and is free and open to the public, no tickets required.

“The Cleveland Asian Festival is the place where you can celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month,” says Johnny Wu, one of the festival’s cofounders.

“You can enjoy all the different performances, and you can also meet a lot of different Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members doing different things—cosplay, the Colors of Asia fashion show. And most of all, you can enjoy 33 different food vendors available.”

Wu says the festival helps bring attention and economic energy to Cleveland’s AsiaTown neighborhood.

More than 120 vendors will fill the festival with everything from henna and bonsai to art and handmade jewelry.“AsiaTown is still being considered a hidden gem, which I don't understand why,” he says. “But having an event like this, bringing maybe over 50,000 people for the weekend—these people will come back again throughout the whole year to check out AsiaTown and enjoy all the different businesses there.”

Last year’s festival saw its biggest turnout yet, nearing that 50,000 marker. As a result, this year’s event has grown, with more vendors, more room to roam, and more to experience throughout the weekend.

“There’s a lot more space and a lot more areas,” Wu adds. “We have over 120 vendors in addition to the food vendors.”

He says there was even a wait list for vendors interested in participating because it filled up so fast.

For Wu and the rest of the team, the highlight of the CAF is always seeing guests simply enjoying themselves.

“Seeing everybody showing up—it doesn't matter who you are, what orientation you are, what kind of race you are—just enjoying the festival is what I love the most,” he says. “You see everybody having a great time.”

He adds, “I want to continue to make sure people know we embrace culture, we embrace the community we have—and hopefully everybody else does too.”

From food to fashion to trivia and cosplay, here’s what you should know before you go:

Getting There

Free parking is available just a couple of blocks away at Cleveland State University’s E. 24th and Payne lots. Wu says it’s only a three-minute walk from there, and thanks to Ace Taxi, there’s also a free shuttle that runs every 10 to 15 minutes for those who would prefer a lift.

World Marketplace

As Wu mentioned, more than 120 vendors will fill the festival with everything from henna and bonsai to art and handmade jewelry. You’ll also find interactive activities like Rangoli sand art, Chinese calligraphy, screen printing, and Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging).

Asian Food Court + Best Food Competition

The food court features food trucks and booth vendors serving everything from bánh mì and momos to som tum, plus sweet treats, drinks, and hard-to-find snacks from across Asia.Come hungry! The food court features food trucks and booth vendors serving everything from bánh mì and momos to som tum, plus sweet treats, drinks, and hard-to-find snacks from across Asia.

“We are very selective about who can come in, and we make sure all the food is very much four to five stars,” Wu shares.

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can also sample special dishes created just for the event and vote for their favorite to help crown the winner of the Best CAF Cuisine. Then on Sunday, from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m., a panel of judges will take the stage to taste the finalists and select a special Judge’s Choice winner.

Health Pavilion

Inside Asia Plaza, free health screenings and checkups will be available throughout the weekend, offered in partnership with local health providers.

Live Performances

Two outdoor stages will feature nonstop entertainment all weekend long, including traditional dance, kung fu, live music, acrobatics, and cultural demonstrations. Highlights include:

• Asian-Pop Dance Cover Competition, Saturday from 5:15–6:45 p.m. and Sunday from 5:30–6:45 p.m.
  Dance crews will hit the stage with choreographed routines set to K-pop and other Asian pop hits, all competing for cash prizes in front of a live audience and panel of judges.
• Cosplay Showcase, Sunday from 3:45–4:30 p.m.
  “This year, we brought back a cosplay that we had not done for many, many years,” says Wu. Anime, manga, folklore, and pop culture will come together onstage during this family-friendly event. “If you want to be on stage, fill out the form online and participate with us,” Wu encourages.
• Colors of Asia Fashion Show, Sunday at 2 p.m.
  Also returning this year after a hiatus, the Colors of Asia runway show will feature traditional and modern fashion from across Asia.
• CAF Trivia Game Show, Saturday from 3:15–4:15 p.m.
  Teams will test their knowledge of Asian American history and culture in a fast-paced trivia competition. Not competing? No problem—the audience is welcome to cheer on the contenders.