News Release
July 8, 2025
Contact: David Tam, Asian Celebration Event Director
Davidyuentam@gmail.com, (541) 554-9350
www.AsianCelebration.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrate 40 Years of Oregon’s Longest-Running
Asian Cultural Festival – Saturday, July 19th
Alton Baker Park – Free Admission!
EUGENE, Ore. – Bring your family and friends to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of Oregon’s longest-running cultural festivals on Saturday, July 19, at Alton Baker Park. Admission is free.
The Oregon Asian Celebration will honor the Year of the Snake with a day filled with music, dance, martial arts, folk crafts, youth activities, exhibits, Asian cuisine, a bustling marketplace, and special performances. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Alton Baker Park.
“The Year of the Snake is a time for transformation and renewal,” says event director David Tam. “It’s a time to welcome wisdom, growth, and new beginnings. This year’s festival honors 40 years of sharing Asian and Asian American cultural traditions in a festive setting, just as our founders envisioned in the early 1980s. We hope that everyone who has attended our festival over the years leaves with a deeper appreciation for the richness of cultural diversity, helping to break down barriers and build a stronger, more connected community.”
Festival Highlights:
- Performances: Traditional and contemporary music, dance, and cultural showcases representing Korea, the Philippines, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, and more. New this year is a Karaoke Contest from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on the Main Stage. Sign up opens at 10:00 a.m. for limited spaces to sing and impress the audience, and win a prize.
- Martial Arts Stage: Demonstrations begin at 11:00 a.m. with taekwondo, aikido, tai chi, karate, and more. New this year: Japanese Sumo by Portland Sumo on both the Martial Arts and Main stages. Attendees can try martial arts forms with local masters: Kids Karate at 3:30 p.m., Qigong & Bo Yoga at 4:00 p.m., and Tai Chi at 4:30 p.m.
- Marketplace: Explore over 70 vendors featuring handcrafted items, unique goods, and community resources.
- Youth Activities: Hands-on crafts like origami, handmade dragon boats to race, carnival games, and more. Kids can pick up a Year of the Snake Passport and travel around the festival to get their passport stamped at 12 different booth locations. Completed passports can be returned to the Northwest Community Credit Union booth in the Marketplace for a prize.
- Asian Cuisine: Enjoy dim sum, teriyaki chicken, yakisoba, dim sum, sushi burritos, bubble tea, shaved ice, and delicacies from India and the Philippines at the festival’s food trucks and vendors.
- Haiku and Tanka Exhibit: Featuring Lane County student poetry, organized by Skipping Stones Magazine.
- Heritage Exhibit: Showcasing 40 years of Asian Celebration posters and festival history.
What to Bring:
To stay cool, bring a refillable water bottle (bottle refill stations and misting stations will be available) and a lawn chair, blanket, or umbrella for comfortable viewing of performances.
Sustainable Transportation:
Attendees are encouraged to bike, walk, or ride the LTD bus for free using the festival bus code on the UMO Mobility app. Cascadia Mobility will provide over 100 bike rack spaces (bring your own lock). See the festival website for Getting There details and the free bus code.
The Oregon Asian Celebration is produced by the Asian American Council of Oregon with support from Northwest Community Credit Union, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, City of Eugene, Lane County, State of Oregon, KVAL-TV, and KLCC.FM.
Find a complete schedule of performances and activities HERE
