THE ANNUAL ASIAN CELEBRATION IN EUGENE, OREGON: Guest Post by Caroline Hatton

Taiko drum performance at the Oregon Asian Celebration, Eugene, Oregon.

My friend Caroline Hatton, a children’s writer and frequent contributor to this blog, went to this event, where she took these photos and video in July 2024.

Thunder rumbled across the park in the heart of Eugene. But skies were clear, the evening air balmy on this mid-summer Saturday. What could be booming so loud?

The answer: Japanese “Taiko” drums during an energetic stage performance by members of Eugene Taiko, a community-based ensemble, on the day of the 39^th (!) annual Oregon Asian Celebration.*

Oregon Asian Celebration audience and craft market tents.

This was one of many summer cultural events in and around Eugene, another free, family-oriented offering, with themed foods, music and dance, craft and artworks, exhibits on heritage, volunteer opportunities, and services, and fun for young ones. The festival was presented by the Asian American Council of Oregon and supported by the University of Oregon (both located in Eugene), the City of Eugene, local radio and TV stations, and more major community partners.

Other performances featured more types of Japanese drums, Indonesian or Korean percussion, and Balinese, Filipino or Punjabi dancing. A second stage was set up to demonstrate martial arts: aikido, karate, kung  fu, and taekwondo.

Opportunities for audience participation included some of the martial arts and tai chi, a chance to play a taiko drum or to learn the Chinese lion dance, and culminated in hourly Dragon Boat Races with prizes for young shipbuilders.

Asian food trucks.

Food to please even picky Sasquatch.

The event had started at 10 a.m. but my husband and I went at sundown to avoid the midday heat. First, we examined the long line of food trucks: Afghan, Filipino, Hawaiian--including a shaved ice truck, Indian, Japanese variations including one truck selling sushi burritos (?!), Sasquatch (?!), Thai, Vietnamese, in alphabetical order, and more, plus several rather popular ice cream trucks. 

Only Afghan food would be new to us, so that’s what we chose. Alas, at the Manti Food Truck, the Uzbek qably palov (steamed rice with corn oil, beef, onion, raisins and carrots) was sold out. Of the chicken sukhari (deep fried), Afghan bolani (flatbread filled with potato, green onion and cilantro), beef or spinach manti (dumplings), and Afghan beef rolls, the latter looked like finger food easy to share, for a small enough serving to save room to sample other cuisines. I rarely eat meat, but I’ll consider it to try ethnic foods.

Delicious Afghan beef roll.

The Afghan beef rolls were exceptionally delicious! Wrapped in a thin layer of piping hot, crunchy bread, was a hint of ground beef mixed with cabbage and carrot, exquisitely flavored with onion and cilantro. The rolls came with a green, pickly, brightly seasoned dipping sauce that dazzled our taste buds. Two small rolls each were such a satisfying new experience that we didn’t need to eat anything more for dinner.

The Eugene Bonsai Club tent.

After “dinner” and the Taiko drum concert, I enjoyed walking past the Eugene Bonsai Club tent and craft market tents, which made me wish I needed more earrings or ethnic outfits. Maybe next year… Until then, next on my to-do list is to try more Afghan food at the Manti Food Truck in town.

*At the event website, the photo gallery shows the posters used to advertise the event in past years, with Asian zodiac animals and other stunning designs, forming a veritable art exhibit. On that webpage, scroll down miles of photos of all aspects of the event. And when you feel like maybe you don’t need to go, remember that you can’t taste all the delicious foods except on site.