TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Tallahassee community came together on October 27 to honor Dr. Lucy Ho, a distinguished cultural ambassador, entrepreneur, and Senior Advisor to Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), on the occasion of her 94th birthday.
The celebration, held at Masa Restaurant, drew more than one hundred guests, including local officials, international friends, and long-time supporters of Dr. Ho’s decades of work promoting Asian culture and cross-cultural understanding in North Florida.
Among those in attendance were Tallahassee Mayor John E. Dailey and Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, who both praised Dr. Ho’s enduring impact on the city’s civic and cultural life. Mayor Dailey noted that October 27 was officially declared “Lucy Ho Day” in Tallahassee in 2022, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to fostering international friendship and cultural exchange.
The event was jointly organized by the North Florida Chinese Association (NFCA) and the Taiwanese American Association of Tallahassee (TAA). Dinner and service were coordinated by Shaun Lee, Dr. Ho’s nephew, who curated a rich buffet of Asian specialties that reflected the hospitality and fusion of cultures Dr. Ho’s restaurants are known for.
More than one hundred guests attended, including a contingent of over forty Japanese friends—organized by Taxumi, Chiho, and Akemi—who made up the largest group of the evening and were seated together in the front rows.
A highlight of the celebration was a captivating performance by the Florida State University Chinese Music Ensemble, directed by Dr. Haiqiong Deng. The ensemble, composed of students and community members, performed traditional and contemporary pieces on classical Chinese instruments including the zheng, erhu, sheng, and ruan.
The repertoire featured eight works: Golden Snake Dance, Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, Wine Mad, Strolling Along the West Lake, Laughing in the Wind, Horse Racing, Fighting the Typhoon, and Remembering Taiwan. The performance began at 6:20 p.m. and concluded with a joyful cake-cutting ceremony at 8:45 p.m.
The evening was documented by Liang Yu Hsia, former NFCA president and professional photographer, who captured high-definition photos and videos. Additional video footage was recorded by Dr. Scotty Huang for community sharing.
Dr. Ho has long been regarded as a cornerstone of the Asian community in Tallahassee. Beyond her successful restaurant ventures, she has devoted her life to promoting cultural understanding, supporting international students, and connecting influential visitors with local and state leaders. Through her leadership, generosity, and warmth, Dr. Ho has strengthened ties between Tallahassee and the broader Asian diaspora—leaving an enduring legacy in the city’s cultural landscape.
The celebration concluded with a poetic birthday greeting presented by Tien-Shuenn Wu, Associate Advisor of the OCAC:
“Blessings and longevity, like pine and crane.
Congratulations to Dr. Lucy Ho on her 94th birthday.
Autumn drapes the world in osmanthus bloom.
May your life endure like the immortal pine of the southern mountains.
May your fortunes flow as endlessly as the Eastern Sea,
And may your laughter brighten every day.
Ninety-four years of grace and splendor,
With friends gathered to honor the cherished birthday star.”
Video Highlights
Videos by Liang Yu Hsia and Scotty Huang are available at:
https://youtu.be/plDe9xyTYCc
https://youtu.be/HdZmqOfF2uQ
https://youtu.be/-NQmUtmruwk
https://youtu.be/tiQULd3loPQ
https://youtu.be/ctDqaHlOyjU
https://youtu.be/k-tqqFADo3M
https://youtu.be/nw9ia7M38nk
https://youtu.be/bOVMOHoYpG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZhlchGq-M
