APIDA Festival Returns for 4th Year in Downtown State College

An annual celebration of Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American culture will bring music, artistic performances and cuisine to downtown State College.

The fourth annual APIDA Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, on South Fraser Street and in the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The festival is organized by the Penn State APIDA Caucus, with sponsorship from Penn State Student Affairs, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, the Pan APIDA Circle and the Borough of State College.

“It is more important than ever to celebrate diversity and ensure the safety and support of all marginalized groups within Centre County, as well as America as a whole, especially since this is the 250th Anniversary of the United States’ independence,” Gracy Franco Prasanna, Penn State APIDA Caucus president, said in a statement.

More than two dozen local vendors will be on hand, offering items such as soaps, candles, creams, Ibori art and confections from Happy Valley Sweets.

Among the community groups and performers scheduled, headliners include the Steel Dragon Dancers, multi-cultural instrumentalist Sangat, Indian American singer-songwriter Sudha Mokkapati and Kalanikethanaya, the Sri Lankan Dance and Music School of New Jersey.

Student-led Penn State groups such as RAAGA, the Penn State Filipino Association, RAM Squad, Penn State Natya, Penn State Writers Organizing to Represent Diverse Stories and the Society for Indian Music and Arts will showcase their talents and entertain attendees.

Mount Nittany Middle School and Park Forest Middle School students will also deliver musical performances.  

Food options will include Fatema’s Kitchen and Silver Spoon, and participating organizations will partner with a handful of local restaurants for fundraising efforts.

Volunteers are still needed for the festival, with time slots available throughout the day between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. To sign up, click here.

The 15-member APIDA Caucus represents the undergraduate Asian Pacific Islander community at Penn State’s University Park campus. It works with other campus groups and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center to organize events and programs that offer students support, solidarity and a sense of community.  

“Every year, we get together to celebrate the culture of Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander communities,” Andy Zheng, APIDA Caucus vice president, said in a statement. “We hope to garner solidarity and build community through joy and cultural exchange.”