The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival celebrated culture and growth, featuring new dance competitions and diverse food.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Calder Plaza was alive with color, rhythm and flavor this weekend for the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation’s annual festival.
The free, family-friendly event ran from June 13-15 and featured food vendors, dance performances, games and a new cultural dance competition.
“Today is just a wonderful day,” said festival organizer Ace Marasigan.
Marasigan, who helped launch the event in 2017, said the festival began as a personal effort to help his young son see more people who looked like him being celebrated in the community.
“You know, when we started in 2017, it really was a gift for our son, who, at that time, is three years old. We wanted him to see more people of same color or brown people we celebrate in the community,” he said. “But now it has grown into a much-needed avenue for people to celebrate who they are, really express who they are as people.”
Festival board president Manoj Mulki said the event reflects the city’s shifting population.
“One of the biggest populations is Asian. We bring a lot of culture, revenue, varieties of food to the community here,” said Mulki. “I’m here. Last 25 years, we’ve only had like 500 families of Indian families, but now we are over 10,000 families here, same as Asian other communities, too.”
Mulki added that beyond celebrating, the event is also about preserving culture for the next generation.
“So we want to bring the community culture for next generation to pass on. Like we have a kids dancing program and games and everything for that,” he said. “So food, also, they can come and try a lot of different varieties of food.”
The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation, a nonprofit organization, focuses on increasing cultural awareness, supporting local Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses and talent, and creating inclusive spaces for learning and celebration.
Organizers said they’re already planning 2026’s festival, marking its 10th anniversary.