Cleveland Asian Festival
The streets close in the heart of AsiaTown one weekend a year to make space for about 48,000 visitors. More than 100 food and retail vendors, two performance stages, inflatable sumo suit wrestling and martial arts demonstrations, and even free health screenings occupy East 27th Street and Payne Avenue May 19 and 20. “We want people to stay and try new things,” says festival co-founder Lisa Wong. “It highlights the culture, and there really is something for everyone.” clevelandasianfestival.org/2018/
Ice or Rice’s Food Tours
Inspired by social media confusion over durian, often called the blue cheese of fruit, Andy and Jessie Ng wanted to expand Clevelanders’ understanding of Asian food. “We go through Asian Food Co. to point out our favorite things,” says Andy. “It’s kind of like a 101-style class in Asian cooking,” After the tour, the 15-20 attendees taste various ingredients, dishes, sauces and durian. 216-212-8758, iceorrice.com
Night Market
On the final Friday of the month from June to September, Rockwell Avenue transforms with string lights, red paper lanterns and the sights, sounds and flavors of a CLE-Asian fusion street festival. More than 100 vendors feature Taiwanese-style shaved snow, grilled chicken skewers, vegan doughnuts, sustainably grown flowers and more. “Your whole atmosphere shifts,” says event coordinator Josh Maxwell. “You find this very romantic ambience inside the busy city scene.” nightmarketcle.com