Cornfed Librarian

Each May, the Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA) unites Asian American communities in Iowa to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month during a daylong festival known as CelebrAsian: The Asian Heritage Festival.  Since the event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, preconference attendees might want to walk over to the Iowa State Capitol after discussion of local production of digital talking books.   

CelebrAsian is the largest Asian-American event in Iowa, showcasing cultural exhibits, history, food, performance artists, sports, martial arts, children's activities, and other family-friendly activities.  We couldn't find a program, but the press release mentions these activities:

• The Sports and Martial Arts Village will feature a volleyball tournament, and martial arts competitions and demonstrations throughout the entire day.
• The Wellmark Health and Wellness Village will feature interactive workshops related to health and wellness, free medical screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, and other informative events.
• The Principal Financial Group Family Art Center will feature the culmination of a community arts project entitled Flowers of the Heart to inspire families to explore their creative side.
• The Main Stage will feature contemporary and cultural performance throughout the entire day, including traditional song and dance performed by each of the thirteen communities participating in this year's event.
• Local musical performers Gimikk and Larry Berenguel will entertain guests on the Main Stage throughout the day. National musical headliners include hip-hop/alternative band afterschoolspecial, and YouTube sensation Sam Hart. Another YouTube personality, Tim Delaghetto aka Traphik will serve as master of ceremony and guest judge for the Next SensAsian Talent Contest.
• The fashion show will feature traditional Asian apparel representing different generations of the ethnic communities at this year's festival.
• Village Sponsor Hummel's Nissan will display their newest cars, including the incredible GTR and Nissan Leaf.
• New for this year is the Iowa Takraw Foundation Takraw Tournament. Takraw is a traditional Asian sport similar to volleyball, except that it is played with a bamboo or wicker mesh ball and the players can use only their feet! For more information about takraw, please see the following: http://www.takrawusa.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa-Takraw- Foundation/241192750273.
• Festival-goers can learn more about the Asian experience in Iowa in the My Story Tent, in which Iowans share their own story through essays and photographs.