The eleventh Knox Asian Festival is just over a month away and changes are afoot. The event will, once more, be held at the World’s Fair Park, but the date, September 8th, falls a couple of weeks later this year, so here’s hoping for a bit of cool weather. Many of the favorite delegations and performers from previous years will be present, but last year’s Sumo wrestlers will be replaced by the only thing I can imagine might be even cooler: Ninja’s.
The fun gets started the night before, September 7th, with a “Friends of the Festival” VIP event at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater. The event is ticketed at a cost of $25, which includes t-shirts and entrance to the festival the following day, and runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Included will be the first festival performance of the ASHURA ninja corps from the Ninja Museum of Iga-ryu, demonstrating their fighting skills and “one of Japan’s oldest ninja traditions. The night also includes performances by the Matsuriza Taiko Drum Troupe and the Natyarpana Dance Company.
The following day, the 8th, the festival begins at 10:30 am and ends at 6:00 pm. In another change, this year’s festival will charge $3.00 entry for everyone twelve-years-old and older. The small fee helps underwrite and sustain the festival so that the city can enjoy it for many years going forward. It also helps support the work of the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee. The Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, a Knoxville non-profit, presents the festival and also offers education and outreach to area schools and other groups.
All entry will be cashless and tickets may be purchased in advance for quicker and easier entry. Tickets to both the VIP event and the festival may be purchased here. There is also an early check-in at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Westtown Mall on September 3rd from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at which you may pick up your wristband for the festival and enter without a wait.
The day, as always kicks off with the beautiful parade of nations with delegations from more than a dozen Asian countries. This year the parade starts at the large fountains in the park and proceeds through the middle of the lawn to the Amphitheater stage.
There are too many performers to list, but they include:
Gamelan musicians from Bali island Indonesia, Filipina singer Khay Shaw, and the Mabuhay Dancers, winners of the 2023 Atlanta, Georgia Philippine Independence Day cultural dance contest. Japanese Shamisen (Banjo) Music concert, Nepal Dance performance, Korean Fan Dancers from Atlanta GA, K-pop Dance, Dragon & Lion Dance by Wah Lum Kang Fu school, Nashville Tiko drum performance, Matsuriza Drum and Ninja shows at 1:30PM and 4:30PM.
There will also be a cosplay contest and the popular passport program encouraging all to visit each country’s representative pavilions, collect stamps, and win prizes.
As always, the festival will be a literal feast of foods from around the world from countries including Japan, Indonesia, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia Korea, Nepal & Myanmar. You can expect more than forty food vendors, dozens of arts and craft vendors, and activities. Other featured events include:
- Thailand pavilion – “Loy Krathong,” festival of respect to the water sprit. Float a beautiful flower basket to pray.
- Japan Pavilion – Green Tea Ceremony inside the Teahouse built by UT students. Also, dress for a photo in a summer kimono.
- Indian Pavilion – Holi Festival, the Festival of Colors, Love, and spring.
- Vietnam Culture Tent will offer samples of Vietnamese French Coffee.
We are fortunate to have the amazing Asian Festival in Knoxville. It’s one of the largest Asian festivals in the country and it was recognized last year as the Best Arts and Culture Festival in the South by the Southeast Festivals and Events Association. Generous sponsors make it possible and include the Knox County, Arts & Culture Alliance, Visit Knoxville, Tennessee Valley Authority, TN Arts Commission, The Boyd Foundation, DENSO, Hard Rock Cafe in Bristol, and more.
I may have more details as the event approaches, but mark your calendars for a great day just a few weeks away.