Grand Rapids Asian Festival: A joyous new event debuts in downtown Grand Rapids

In anticipation of the debut of the Grand Rapids Asian Festival, Rapid Growth wants to shine a warm spotlight on a series of images created earlier this year by photographer Two Eagles Marcus.

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On Saturday, June 10, 2017, the Grand Rapids Asian Festival will debut in downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Park Circle from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

In anticipation of this wondrous new event held in the heart of our city, Rapid Growth wants to shine a warm spotlight on a series of images created earlier this year by photographer Two Eagles Marcus

These images from Marcus showcase the rich and beautiful diversity of the many countries that will represented at the Grand Rapids Asian Festival. They also showcase an array of individuals who work, live, and play alongside us (and often in Western fashions), but as we see illustrated here, these people have deep and meaningful roots connected to their diverse heritages. 

Alma Reed in a Filipino mestiza dress
Alma Reed in a Filipino mestiza dress
Linda Dang in a Vietnamese áo dài
Linda Dang in a Vietnamese áo dài
Cindy Molnar in a Chinese cheongsam
Cindy Molnar in a Chinese cheongsam
Leela Dhakel in a Saree
Leela Dhakel in a Saree
Don Hua in a Chinese tangzhuang
Don Hua in a Chinese tangzhuang
Michelle Nguyen in a Vietnamese áo dài
Michelle Nguyen in a Vietnamese áo dài
Lily Willmer in a Filipino mestiza dress
Lily Willmer in a Filipino mestiza dress
Reynaldino Marasigan in a Filipino barong
Reynaldino Marasigan in a Filipino barong
Harsha Luitel and Puja Dhakel
Harsha Luitel and Puja Dhakel
Liu Yan He in a Chinese cheongsam
Liu Yan He in a Chinese cheongsam
Santa Subba in a saree
Santa Subba in a saree
Jimmy Le in a Vietnamese áo dài
Jimmy Le in a Vietnamese áo dài

This special one-day event that will not just offer the best in Asian cuisine but presents an opportunity to enjoy Taiko drumming, Lion and Pacific Island dancers, martial arts demonstrations, vocalists, a ninja hairstylist, and a live Asian band. There will even be a karaoke contest led by DJ Ace Marasigan mixing Asian dance music.

Author Maya Angelou once said, “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” I can think of no better opportunity to expand on this truth than at the 2017 Grand Rapids Asian Festival.

The Future Needs All of Us.

Tommy Allen
Publisher
Rapid Growth

Photography ©2017 Two Eagles Marcus

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