An attendee participates in the lion dance as part of the AAPI festival May 31 at Patrick Henry Recreation Center.

The Asian American Pacific Islander Month wrapped up with a feast of culture, arts and food at the “From Pacific to Persia” celebration May 31 at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The annual event celebrates the diversity, heritage, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through food, art, music, and cultural activities.

Attendees enjoyed traditional dances such as Hawaiian hula and the Dragon Dance and feeding ceremony by Choy Wun. Traditional music showcased sounds from a wide range of AAPI communities.

Special cultural games were played, including Suikawari, a Japanese game where players, blindfolded, attempt to split a watermelon with a stick in a symbol of teamwork.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May to honor the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This month was established by Congress in 1992 to coincide with significant milestones in Asian American history, such as the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by Chinese workers on May 10, 1869. The month serves to promote awareness of AAPI contributions to American society.

Choy Wun led the Lion Dance and feeding ceremony at the AAPI Festival May 31 at Patrick Henry Recreation Center.