Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races Come to Channelside District Next Weekend

News Report:

Come celebrate the rich culture and traditions of 15 Asian countries at Asia Fest 2012 on Saturday, April 28, at Cotanchobee Park, 601 Old Water St. in the Channelside District. The event is free to the public.

Festival goers will also be able to enjoy the ninth annual Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Races, which kick off at 8 a.m. on the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina patio, adjacent to Cotanchobee Park. The first race starts at 8:30 a.m.

Asia Fest 2012 entertainment includes brilliantly colorful dance performances, traditional music, and the fourth annual Miss Asia Fest Competition, along with delicious Asian ethnic food.

Asia Fest is an annual celebration of National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which has been held in downtown Tampa since 1982. Each year the event is coordinated by the Asian American Coalition of Florida. The goal of Asia Fest is to share Asian culture with the public and promote the bond of friendship and better understanding between the East and the West.