Because we can cruise any day of the week to Calle Ocho and enjoy a veritable Latinfest, or venture into Little Haiti for a celebration of all things Kreyol, we always find ourselves especially psyched for the annual Asian Culture Festival at the Fruit and Spice Park. Think of it as a day trip off the continent, to a land where litchi is everyones favorite ice-cream flavor and most of the plants for sale dont grow past your knee.
For 19 years the event has been drawing crowds way down south, where you can enjoy Thai, Bangladeshi, Indian, Japanese, and Chinese cultures. Most people get stuck in lines at the food kiosks before loading up on tchotchkes and authentic ethnic merchandise. This years celebration also includes lively games of sepet takraw (a Malaysian no-hands volleyball tournament), folk dancing from practically every country represented, taiko drummers, Chinese lion dancing, a display of dragon boats, and fruit-and-veggie-carving demonstrations that will leave your mouth agape in amazement. Admission is seven dollars; children under 12 get in free. Soak up all of this family fun today from 10 to 6.
Sat., March 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2008