The Asian Coalition of Tallahassee (ACT) hosted the 23rd annual Experience Asia Festival on September 26 at Tom Brown Park, bringing together a large crowd for a full day of music, dance, martial arts, cultural exhibits, food, and cultural exchange. The annual festival has become one of North Florida’s major multicultural celebrations.

Among the distinguished guests were Tallahassee Mayor John E. Dailey, Deputy Consul General Shohei Umetani of the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Advisory Committee Senior Advisor Dr. Lucy Ho, and Aileen Ray, Chair of the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee. A WCTV anchor also served as the event’s emcee.

Before the opening ceremony, two colorful dragons led representatives of participating organizations in a parade through the park, officially launching the 2026 festival. Following the parade, city officials presented a proclamation recognizing the day as the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee Asian Cultural Heritage Day.

The Taiwan community was also an active participant in the festival. The Taiwanese American Association of Tallahassee and the Florida State University Taiwan Students Association (FSUTSA) jointly hosted a Taiwan cultural booth, introducing visitors to Taiwan’s culture and providing information and cultural materials. The booth also served as a venue for cultural exchange and public education about Taiwan.

Taiwanese music was featured on the Dragon Stage as well. Shaka Li, a doctoral student in political science at Florida State University, performed a selection of Taiwanese songs representing different ethnic groups, languages, and generations. The program included an Indigenous traditional song from Duli, the Rukai song “Love of Little Ghost Lake,” Taiwanese-language songs, Mandarin selections by the contemporary band Amazing Show, and the classic Taiwanese song “Wang Chun Feng” (“Spring Breeze”) as the finale.

From Indigenous melodies and Taiwanese folk songs to contemporary music, the performance brought the sounds and stories of Taiwan across the Pacific to Tallahassee. It offered audiences an opportunity to experience the diversity of Taiwan’s cultural heritage through music.

The festival featured more than 30 cultural performances and demonstrations throughout the day. Audiences enjoyed a wide variety of traditional and contemporary presentations, including Japanese taiko drumming, Chinese martial arts, Hawaiian hula, and performances representing cultures from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China, India, the Philippines, the Middle East, and Pacific Island communities.

More than 20 food vendors also offered a wide selection of Asian cuisine. Other participating organizations included the Chinese Christian Church, the Tallahassee Chinese Association, the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, and community and advocacy organizations. The Japanese Consulate also hosted an information booth, where Deputy Consul General Umetani spoke with visitors throughout the day.

Art was another highlight of the festival. Dr. Nan Liu, a professor in the Department of Visual Arts at Florida A&M University (FAMU), demonstrated traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, attracting visitors who watched his brushwork and asked questions.

Aileen Ray, Chair of the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee, said the success of the festival depended on the contributions of volunteers, organizers, and community partners. She expressed particular appreciation for the high school volunteers and said that Experience Asia is more than a cultural event—it provides an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together, build friendships, and strengthen the community.

Aurora Hansen, secretary of the Asian Coalition and event leader for Experience Asia, said the festival is designed to create opportunities for people to learn about one another, make connections, and share their cultures. She emphasized that the event welcomes people of all backgrounds to come together, enjoy food and cultural activities, meet new friends, and celebrate the diversity of the community.

Now in its 23rd year, Experience Asia has grown from a small community gathering into an established multicultural celebration in Tallahassee. Through performances, food, art, cultural exhibits, and community participation, the festival provides a welcoming setting where Asian and Pacific cultures can be shared while people from different backgrounds learn more about one another.