On the early morning of August 30th, 2026, FASCA members gathered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, to support and help at the Taiwan Yes! Market, a widespread community event celebrating Taiwanese culture. Organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, the New Jersey Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, GFCBW New Jersey Chapter, The Center for Cultural & Creative Exchange, Senary Leaf Foundation, and the Taiwanese American Association of Northern New Jersey, this event brought Taiwanese food, traditions, music, performances, as well as culture to the local community. The event united volunteers, performers, students, and many others for a day filled with fun and interaction. The market was also a chance for volunteers to turn their passion into action, putting FASCA's values into practice by actively preserving and sharing Taiwanese heritage.

FASCA volunteers helped hang up banners and set up the FASCA booth in the morning as well as assisting other tents with preparations for the event. This gave volunteers the opportunity to interact with those of varying cultural backgrounds and a chance to expand their teamwork and leadership skills. As the day went on, members also spoke with visitors both at our very own FASCA Princeton booth, taking it as a chance to promote Taiwan to create a welcoming environment for people interested in learning more about Taiwanese culture.

After preparations, FASCA members also took part in the performance lineup of the event, presenting their own cultural performances: the “Taiwanese Lion Dance”, followed by the “Hakka YuanXiao Joy Dance” and then “Perfect World” before finishing up with Taiwan’s baseball cheer. Beyond our FASCA volunteers’ energetic performance, the main stage was lit up throughout the entire event with an exciting variety of performances that celebrated Taiwanese culture. Ranging from well-known Taiwanese songs, performed alongside a live band, to eye-catching hip hop and traditional dance performances, each act brought unique energy to the stage. The stage and its performances created an unforgettable atmosphere at the market, ensuring all visitors had an amazing time while celebrating Taiwan’s culture.

Beyond the spectacular performances, the market was lined with game booths and food stalls of all sorts. Little kids gathered to play ring toss, a traditional game where players toss small bamboo rings onto a mat arranged with snacks and toys. Nearby, adults joined in on the fun with lively karaoke rounds, keeping the festival filled with high-energy music. And of course, the food stalls did not disappoint. Visitors crowded around the booths for classic Taiwanese favorites like crispy fried chicken, savory scallion pancakes, and cold sesame noodles, along with sweet treats like bubble tea, shaved ice, and wheel cakes.

The FASCA booth stayed busy connecting with attendees, sharing details about the program, and handing out fun stickers and temporary tattoos of Taiwan’s beloved black bear mascot. Together, the energetic mix of street food, vibrant games, and community stalls captured the true spirit of a traditional Taiwanese night market right in our local community.

Ultimately, the Taiwan Yes Market was a meaningful event where members of FASCA were able to show teamwork, leadership skills, and support for Taiwanese culture. From helping to run different booths and rehearsing dances our members of FASCA Princeton demonstrated commitment to our role as Taiwan’s cultural ambassadors. Blending both traditional and modern Taiwanese culture to help create an environment that allowed others to learn, participate, and celebrate Taiwan. A new FASCA Princeton member, Landen, said that, “He thought it was a very engaging and interactive experience where he had the chance to participate and spread Taiwanese Culture”.

In the end, our group's efforts transformed the market into something beyond just a simple festival with food, music and performances. It became a place of collaboration and understanding, one in which cultures could be exchanged and appreciated. Culture is something to be shared and celebrated with all, and through each person supporting the booths, guiding market-goers, and contributing to the event, we were able to bring that idea to life. Together, we created an environment in which everybody can come together and celebrate the culture and people that make it unique.

Reported by Alicia Lo, Benjamin Tu, Conor Shih and Renee Chou