By Kan Wong, CHCP Director

The South Bay AANHPI Heritage Festival held at History Park San Jose was a vibrant tribute to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures in the South Bay. With over 800 attendees, the day was filled with energy—from the opening Lion Dance performance from THD to interactive Chinese crafts celebrating the Year of the Horse for children. Visitors explored and learned about the services and offerings from local community nonprofits and artists, while over 250 people discovered the rich history and legacy of San Jose’s five original Chinatowns and the historic Ng Shing Gung altar at the Chinese American Historical Museum. The festival also featured a lively panel discussion on Asian American Studies programs, sponsored by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), in which panelists and the audience exchanged ideas on how Asian American Studies can enrich cultural identity and inspire civic activism. The afternoon also included Asian cultural performances organized by Mosaic America.