1st Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Festival Sunday In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The inaugural Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Festival will be held this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chrysalis in Symphony Woods in Columbia.

The event will feature more than 200 performers and 50 community and business vendors to kick off AAPI Heritage Month in May. Howard County has one of the largest AAPI communities in Maryland, with nearly 60,000 residents identifying as Asian American or Pacific Islander. Maryland’s AAPI population is nearly 20 percent, according to the 2019 American Community Survey data.

“Diversity is a hallmark of Howard County and our AAPI community serves a vital role in contributing to the cultural vibrancy that makes our County one of the most attractive locations to live, work, grow and play in the country,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “We’re thrilled to host this inaugural event to celebrate, recognize and share traditions of the many diverse and unique cultures within our AAPI community.”