What is the Oregon Asian Celebration?

The history of the Asian American Council of Oregon (AACO) is deeply tied to its flagship event, the Oregon Asian Celebration, which began in 1986. The festival began as a way to pass along the rich diversity of Asian cultural traditions to future generations while also building a sense of community among all Oregonians, Asian and non-Asian alike.

Founded in 1986 as the Eugene-Springfield Asian Council, the organization was unique among community-based Asian groups in the United States at the time. Rather than being centered around a single Asian ethnicity, the Council’s founders envisioned an inclusive organization representing the diversity of Asian communities. Their mission was to build a positive image of Asians in Oregon, promote cultural awareness, support Asian-owned businesses and services, and instill pride in Asian heritage among children and future generations. The Council also sought to provide referral services and, most importantly, to serve as a communication link within Oregon’s Asian community.

From 1986 to 2020, this colorful winter festival held in February saw tremendous growth in attendance among people of all ages. What began as an idea to raise funds to develop an Asian business directory resulted in a one-day admission-based cultural event in the auditorium building at the Lane County Fairgrounds. As attendance grew over the next two years, the event expanded over the years from a one-day festival to two days, and eventually occupied the entire 100,000-square-foot Lane Events Center. Each year, the festival drew as many as  12,000 attendees to enjoy two days of cultural festivities. As the event grew in attendance, so did the expenses, but the festival maintained very low admission fees, and was free for children ages 12 and younger.

After 35 years as an indoor cultural festival, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 led organizers to reimagine the event as a free outdoor summer celebration rather than cancel it altogether. They partnered with another Asian Council-initiated event, the Japanese Obon & Taiko Festival, which began in the mid-1980s as an evening dance festival held under colorful Japanese lanterns at Alton Baker Park. Organized for most of its history by the Japanese American Association of Lane County, the Obon & Taiko Festival is held annually to honor ancestors and build community.

This partnership created a “festival within a festival,” celebrated on the last Saturday in July at Alton Baker Park as a free community event, where audience participation in the Obon dances is encouraged.

The Oregon Asian Celebration continues as an outdoor summer event in July, while the Obon & Taiko Festival moves indoors to the Lane Events Center each August.

The mission of the Oregon Asian Celebration’s founders remains strong: to share Asian and Asian American cultural heritage, foster understanding of cultural diversity, and strengthen human connections within the community. Organizers especially aim to create opportunities for young people to get involved and learn how differences can enrich a community.

The festival continues thanks to the participation of hundreds of volunteers from all backgrounds, along with the support of public agencies, private and nonprofit organizations, and local businesses. Produced by the Asian American Council of Oregon, the festival is recognized as one of Lane County’s major annual events.

Learn more about the background history and the founders of the Oregon Asian Celebration.