I had the pleasure of meeting Kumi Alderman through Alan earlier this summer. We met for lunch at Angry Dumpling on Sevier Avenue—her choice, but perfect, since I already eat there at least once a week. (If “you are what you eat,” I identify as one-seventh dumpling.)
Kumi is the executive director of the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee and the founder of the Knoxville Asian Festival, which returns to World’s Fair Park on Sunday, Aug. 24 for its 12th year.
For someone who’s been organizing one of the largest cultural events in the city for over a decade, Kumi radiates the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect from someone launching a first-time passion project. She’s warm, joyful and clearly deeply committed to creating space for education, celebration and connection through Asian arts and culture.
This year’s festival is loaded: three performance stages, 52+ food vendors, 14 cultural pavilions, 85+ craft and commercial vendors, and FREE water bottles for the first 8,000 guests. There will be misting stations, shaded areas, water refill stations and the splash pad open for cooling off. Admission is just $3 in advance (or $5 at the gate), and kids under 12 get in free.
VIP Sushi & Sumo (Yes, Sumo!)
Want a front-row seat to sumo wrestling and a sushi dinner? Don’t miss the VIP Sushi & Sumo event on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 6–8 p.m. in the Amphitheatre. “The biggest star is the full sumo restaurant,” Kumi laughs.
Back by popular demand, U.S. Sumo wrestlers, including the heaviest sumo champion on earth and a past Emperor’s Cup winner, will take the stage during dinner. Expect thunderous body slams, premium Japanese beer and whiskey (available for purchase), and sushi by Zukku Sushi. Tickets begin at $79.83 and include admission to the festival the next day. Sales close Aug. 8. Get your tickets here!
What’s New & What’s Back
In addition to two Sunday afternoon sumo shows, this year’s festival will debut Hawaiian fire dancing and hula, thanks to Dawn Mahealani Douglas and Mahealani’s Polynesian Entertainment. “We have never had Pacific Islanders at the festival before,” Kumi says. “So this year, they are included.”
Cultural pavilions representing Japan, Indonesia, China, The Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal and Pakistan will each offer hands-on experiences, performances and food. Attendees can collect stamps in a special Passport Program booklet for a chance to win prizes.
Highlights include:
- The Japan Pavilion’s tea ceremony, held in a mobile teahouse created by University of Tennessee design students
- The Thailand Pavilion’s Loy Krathong flower festival
- Indonesian Gamelan music demos, Chinese martial arts, K-pop dance covers, Korean fan dancers, Japanese shamisen, and more
There’s also a cosplay contest hosted by Yama-Con, kid-friendly activities throughout the day, and live performances happening across the Amphitheatre, Festival Lawn and Performance Lawn stages.
It All Starts With a Parade
The festival kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a colorful cultural parade, led by delegations representing more than a dozen countries and accompanied by the Clayton-Bradley Academy orchestra. The parade will travel from the Festival Lawn splash pad to the Amphitheater stage.
“If you want to see everybody in one place, come to the parade,” Kumi recommends. “Everyone will be wearing their beautiful country costumes, making music, drumming, and there will be a dragon dance and lion dance.”
Get Involved or Just Come Hungry
Want to be part of the action? Volunteers are still needed and can sign up at knoxasianfestival.com. Proceeds from the Sushi & Sumo VIP event benefit the Asian Culture Center’s educational programming, including outreach to K–12 schools across East Tennessee.
From food and performance to cultural exchange and community connection, the Knox Asian Festival is one of the most vibrant events of the year—and one that continues to grow in size and significance.
See the full schedule and grab your tickets at knoxasianfestival.com.
What’s New for IOK’s Coverage
This year we are excited to introduce local photographer Scott Thompson (Facebook | Instagram). Scott’s gorgeous photography from last year popped up on my Facebook feed and I reached out to see if he’d be up for photographing the 2025 event.
“It was an awesome experience,” Scott says of last year’s festival. “I felt like I had traveled to many different parts of Asia, all without leaving Knoxville. I loved the different cultures, the delicious foods and the beautiful costumes, but what I enjoyed taking photos of most were the people. I enjoyed being able to capture their expressions and emotions, but mostly the pride and excitement they had for their culture. It was an experience I will never forget.”
Scott says that after a lifetime of amateur photography, mostly landscape, “At the ripe old age of 53, I have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up — a professional travel/event photographer.” He decided it was “now or never” and invested in a professional-quality camera.
His first outing was the 2024 Knoxville Asian Festival: “Armed only with a new camera, I wandered around the festival taking photographs. One of the great things about having a nice camera is the fact that no one questions you; they just assume you must belong there taking photos!”
“Since then I have grown and developed into a better photographer, and I am slowly working on making this hobby my full-time job,” Scott says. “I am so excited to be able to attend this year’s Knox Asian Festival, not just as a random guy with a camera, but as an official photographer for Inside of Knoxville. See you guys there!”
Discover more from Inside of Knoxville
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.