Knoxville Prepares for the 11th Annual Knox Asian Festival
Knoxville is bustling with excitement as the 11th Annual Knox Asian Festival is set to return to the World’s Fair Park on September 8, 2024. This beloved festival promises a day full of culture, delicious food, and even real-life ninjas!
Festival Highlights and Activities
Festival-goers can expect to enjoy over 40 food vendors offering a variety of authentic dishes from various Asian cultures. There will also be dozens of arts and crafts vendors showcasing unique items. The day will kick off with a spectacular parade of nations that will begin at the splash pad fountains and lead to the amphitheater stage.
This year’s festival will feature an impressive lineup of performances, including:
- Thai dance
- Chinese dance and martial arts
- Indian dance from Manthan
- Philippine independence music
- Nepal dance performance
- Korean fan dance by performers from Atlanta
- K-pop dance
- Dragon and lion dance by the Wah Lum Kung Fu School
- Matsuriza drum and ninja show at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Another popular feature of the festival is the passport program. Visitors can collect stamps by visiting each country’s representative pavilions, providing a fun way to explore different cultures. Plus, completing the passport offers a chance to win prizes, including some sweet treats!
Admission Details
The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 8. Admission will cost $3 for visitors aged 12 and older, while children under 12 can enter for free. Additionally, there will be a special pre-festival event the night before, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on September 7, where tickets will be available for $25. This ticket includes a festival T-shirt and all-day access to the main event.
During the VIP event on September 7, ninjas from the ASHURA ninja corps will showcase their skills, alongside performances by the Matsuriza Taiko Drum Troupe and the Natyarpana Dance Company.
Tickets and Information
Organizers encourage everyone to purchase tickets online before the event. All entrance gates at the festival will be cashless, so it’s essential to have tickets printed or displayed on your phone for entry. For those interested in becoming part of the festival, organizers are also looking for volunteers. Applications are available online at the festival’s official website.
A Goal Beyond the Festival
The Knox Asian Festival is not just an exciting day of fun; it also has a greater purpose. The admission fees will help fund year-round cultural outreach programs aimed at helping K-12 students in East Tennessee become global citizens. Kumi Alderman, the festival director, noted that the ultimate aim is to build an Asian cultural center in Knoxville.
Mark your calendars and get ready for a day filled with excitement, delicious food, and vibrant performances at the Knox Asian Festival!
