Celebrate API Contributions At Seattle Center Festál: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Embrace the cultures of the Pacific Northwest and cultivate love, peace and understanding of the communities that make up our region at Seattle Center Festál. Join us for Seattle Center Festál: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at Seattle Center Armory to recognize the rich cultural diversity and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our region.

Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Celebration marks the beginning of our region's festivities associated with the official Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Kicking off the festival this year is Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team. Established in 1959, the FYA Drill Team is comprised of Mandayan Marchers, Princessa Drill Team and the Cumbanchero Percussioners. Other performances include a singing contest, cultural dances and fashion show.

A popular attraction, Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest, returns this year, where contestants are challenged to eat a specific amount of baked, bread-like buns as fast as possible. Contemporary and traditional food options will be available for purchase including TukTuk Mobile Feast, featuring Lao street food.

For full details visit http://apiheritage.com/ or the API Heritage Month Celebration Facebook Event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/388383761921707.

Newly added this year is the "Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway." Guests who obtain a passport inside Seattle Center Armory or by downloading online can collect stamps by attending festivals to be entered to win round-trip air travel for two to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the higher the odds of winning! More information at seattlecenter.com/festal.

Seattle Center Festál highlights the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, the festivals took place earlier in their own ethnic communities. Now, Seattle Center serves as a central place, where festivals invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. This year's theme, "Love, Peace and Understanding," is woven throughout 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust.

Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with Asian Pacific Directors Coalition. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit http://apiheritage.com/ and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.