On Saturday, Pacifica Square shopping center in Aurora hosted a significant celebration for Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Organized by Pacifica Square and the Global Friendship Exchange Foundation, the event took place at 4334 E. New York St., Aurora. Recognized as the largest Asian-centric shopping and lifestyle center in the U.S., Pacifica Square has hosted cultural celebrations since 2021. The Heritage Month Celebration has now become one of their most prominent annual events.
The five-hour festival offered a diverse array of attractions that honored traditional and modern cultures. Attendees enjoyed live performances, food contests, cosplay competitions, art displays, music, and interactive entertainment. According to Judy Ni, director of real estate for the Windfall Group, developers of Pacifica Square, this marks the sixth annual celebration. ‘The event aims to unite community and cultures to celebrate together,’ she emphasized.
May is designated as Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which Ni mentioned is an ideal occasion for honoring heritage. ‘It’s a perfect time to come together and celebrate,’ she stated. ‘We aim to continue hosting this event to preserve the celebration and heritage.’
Raju Kumal, a local from Aurora, unexpectedly joined the event while shopping with his children. ‘We saw the crowd and decided to explore,’ Kumal shared. Expressing appreciation, he noted, ‘This event reflects our community in Aurora.’
Brett Day from Geneva enjoyed the event by sampling various foods. ‘This celebration is a great opportunity for the community. It allows those unfamiliar with the Asian community to try new foods,’ he remarked. Day particularly enjoyed the vegetarian offerings and looked forward to trying more from the food trucks.
Several community organizations and vendors participated in this vibrant celebration, contributing to its success.