Canada’s largest Asian festival returns
The Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM) will host its annual Taste of Asia Festival (TOA) in collaboration with the City of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada and various government partners. The event runs from June 27 to 29 at Kennedy Rd. and Steeles Ave.
The festival showcases Asian traditions, foods and performances.
Attendees can enjoy over 150 vendors that offer street food and ethnic cuisine, including Korean BBQ skewers, Japanese Takoyaki, Chinese dumplings, Filipino street food, and more. There will be artisans selling homemade jewellery, traditional clothing, art prints, and more.
Performers at the festival include traditional lion dances, multicultural troupes, martial art demonstrations, K-pop showcases and live bands.
Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) Rhythm Re-Choired is the organization’s youth group, which will be performing group performances and solos at the festival.
Founding member and Treasurer at MFFC Alicia Chiu and PRO Karen Tan shines light on youth impact: “Taste of Asia is an event favourite for the MFFC not only because it showcases the various cultures, arts and food of Asia, but more importantly it showcases our seniors, our youth and the MFFC organization to the rest of the community in Markham and the GTA, with their talents as performers and leaders in the community. Most of our youth grew up performing for the Taste of Asia, showing the organizers just how much enthusiasm our youth and seniors have when performing as well as how the community has grown to love our members performances, coming back time and again.”
The opening ceremony is on June 21, which welcomes several speakers, including the Founder and Chairman of FCCM/ TOA, Dr. Ken Ng, and representatives from all levels of government, who shine a light on the festival’s importance of building community and celebrating cultural diversity.
Ng highlights diversity in the community: “What started as a local gathering has grown into a celebration of culture, unity, and the spirit of Canada’s diversity. Now, with over 100 incredible vendors and performances from all cultures, it’s become a place where everyone can feel at home.”
For more information about Taste of Asia, visit https://taste-of-asia.ca/
Photo: Taste of Asia returns June 27-29. (FCCM Media Team/ 2024 TOA photo)
*Story submitted by Christina Manserra.