Dragon Fest 2018

On Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, Seattle’s Chinatown-International District will host the 43rd annual Dragon Fest. 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. Hundreds of cultural performers from across the region will perform at the Pacific Northwest’s largest pan-Asian festival.

The popular $3 Food Walk feautures 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 celebration, 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 host the third annual annual Noodle Eating Contest for adults and kids, on the Main Stage on Sunday at 4:45 p.m. The event will also feature the first annual Ping Pong Tournament for kids and adults in Hing Hay Park.

Dragon Fest kicks off a weeklong series of activities in the neighborhood that include the monthly Happy Hour Food Walk on Thursday July 19 from 4-7:00 p.m., the API Arts & Crafts Fair at Hing Hay Coworks on Thursday July 19 from 5-7:00 p.m., Jam Fest music walk hosted by the Wing Luke Museum on July 19 from 5-9:00 p.m., and the Chinatown SeaFair Parade on Sunday July 22. For more information, visit www.cidbia.org/events/dragonfest.