Howard County AAPI Festival

County Executive Calvin Ball, Office of Human Rights and Equity, and the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission, in partnership with the Inner Arbor Trust, are delighted to invite you to the 5th annual AAPI Festival at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods!

Immerse yourself in a day filled with cultural performances, live music, delicious food, art, and interactive activities that honor the rich traditions and diverse stories of the AAPI community.

Join us for a FREE, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and connection in the heart of Downtown Columbia, Maryland!

Live Performances: Enjoy music, dance, martial arts, and more performances showcasing the diversity of AAPI cultures.

Food Vendors: Savor a variety of authentic Asian and Pacific Islander cuisines from area restaurants and food trucks!

Local Vendors: Shop small and support local AAPI artisans and businesses.

Community Engagement: Learn about important issues, organizations, and resources supporting the AAPI community.

Games and Crafts: Try out drums, practice your origami, and play games in the park.

Whether you identify as AAPI or simply want to experience and support this beautiful culture, we welcome you with open arms. This festival is family-friendly and perfect for all ages!

As part of HoCo250, Howard County’s community-wide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, this event invites residents and visitors to explore the history, people, and places that shape our shared story. HoCo250 brings together organizations across the county to commemorate America’s Semiquincentennial through engaging programs and public events.

Festival Rules:

The following items are prohibited at the Festival:

• Large coolers / any hard-sided coolers (small soft-sided lunch bags and similar are acceptable);
• Wagons / dollies / carts except for loading and unloading when guests are not onsite and secured through the rest of the event (all strollers and mobility devices are welcomed);
• Lawn chairs (except for those brought in during load-in before guests are onsite and remaining at your table);
• Balloons;
• Inflatable balls;
• Confetti;
• Glitter;
• Uncooked Rice;
• Sparklers;
• Open flames;
• Lit Candles;
• Fake flowers / flower petals that do not remain within a container or vase;
• Nails / screws / tacks / staples / tape that are accessible to the public without supervision;
• Feathers / feather boas with feathers that fall off the boa;
• Loose beads that are not contained;
• Outside alcohol;
• Lawn chairs;
• Weapons of any kind;
• Toy weapons;
• Frisbees or other throwing items;
• Laser pointers;
• Pets (service animals always welcome); and
• And any other item deemed unsuitable for an outdoor venue.

About the Inner Arbor Trust

The Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Maryland. The mission of the Inner Arbor Trust is to promote and nurture a park in a unique natural setting for a variety of arts and culture experiences that enrich the entire community. The Trust works to develop Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods into a destination arts and culture park. In addition to operating the Chrysalis amphitheater, the Trust manages a substantial portion of the Park for recreational use.

This celebration is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. To discover more about the Maryland State Arts Council and how they impact Maryland, visit msac.org.
This festival is supported in part by a grant from the Howard County Arts Council. To discover more about the Howard County Arts Council, visit hocoarts.org

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Host or Publisher Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods