The Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area is excited to announce the return of the 43rd Annual Chinatown-International District Summer Festival: DRAGON FEST 2018. Lion and dragon dancers, Japanese musicians, martial arts groups, Asian drill team performers, and even world-famous break dancers will take to the stage this weekend to showcase the best of Seattle’s diversity and unique cultural heritage.
Participate in the $3 Food Walk, with over 45 local restaurants offering $3 dishes from all over the globe. Local restaurants will be serving a variety of bites including Phnom Penh’s chicken wings, to World Pizza’s Year of the Rooster Pizza to newcomer goPoké small poke bowls. Food lovers who sample five or more restaurants will be eligible to win round-trip airline tickets for two from Delta Airlines. $3 Food Walk menus can be found at the Information Booth and participating restaurants.
Adding to the wealth of food choices at this year’s Festival, Dragon Fest will import international mobile food favorites spanning from Japan to the Philippines, such as Hawaiian garlic shrimp, Tako Kyuuban Takoyaki, Lemongrass, and Beanfish making this event the premiere Asian-Pacific Islander food event in the region.
Beyond food and drink, Dragon Fest offers many family friendly entertainment on the Main Stage from favorites Mak Fai Kung Fu Club, Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness, and the Sakura Con Cosplay Contest. More activities from Ronald McDonald, origami workshops, kid’s activities and crafts will be showcased in the newly reopened and expanded Hing Hay Park throughout the weekend. Dragon Fest will also host the third annual annual Noodle Eating Contest for adults and kids, on the Main Stage on Sunday at 4:45 PM. The event will also feature the first annual Ping Pong Tournament for kids and adults in Hing Hay Park.
There is no admission fee. Any proceeds from the event will benefit the economic revitalization of the Chinatown-International District. Founded in 1994, the CIDBIA works to improve and promote Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. In addition to providing sanitation services, the CIDBIA coordinates several of the neighborhood’s major events including the Night Market and Lunar New Year Celebration, in addition to Dragon Fest. The CIDBIA also advocates on behalf of its constituents with respect to a host of public policy, planning, and quality‐of‐life issues. For more information about the Chinatown-ID BIA, log onto www.cidbia.org.
