When we say that America is a melting pot, we overlook the stage immediately before it, the period during which assimilation takes place. The phase can best be described as a salad bowl. While the melting pot implies similarity, a salad bowl suggests diversity in the midst of integration. While the older communities of Plano may respesent the melting pot, the newer immigrants are salad bowls, especially since the Asian population is a growing one. The last census pegged this figure at 16.7%. Estimates place the current percentage at 20.

It is a fact that first generation immigrants tend to congregate with each other. Such groups look inwards. The second generation Asian Americans understand their dual heritage, but have few outlets for its expression.

Such gaps in the social fabric of Plano ’s multicultural diversity led to the founding of CAAHF or Celebrating Asian American Heritage Foundation, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. The objectives of CAAHF are four-fold: to create opportunities for the inwardly-looking groups of first generation immigrants to open up and integrate; to give the second generation Asian Americans an occasion to participate in and exhibit their dual heritage; to set a stage for the diverse communities of Plano to come together and interact at various levels; to reflect the desire of the Asian community to contribute to and enrich the cultural life of their community.

The showcase of CAAHF’s objectives and efforts is the Plano Asian American Heritage Festival held every year during May, which President George Bush in 1990 designated as the Asian/Pacific Heritage month.

This year the festival, called ASIAFEST 09, will be celebrated, as in the past, at Downtown Plano’s Haggard Park , 901 E 15th St 75074 on Saturday May 2, from 11.00 am to 5 pm.

As in the previous five years, this year’s event will feature dazzling expo of various Asian cultures. There will be demonstrations of different disciplines of martial arts. Performers will showcase the dances forms of India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.

Various ethnic musical instruments,including drums, will be played. The Haggard Park will be a sea of color with ethnic costumes. Add to this the fact that it is not only the traditional that will be showcased, not only the modern, but also re-mixes and fusions of various traditions, including the American.

The afternoon promises to be funfilled and exciting. Spectators are assured a spectacle befitting Hollywood extravanzas considering the number of countries that will be represented at the fest: China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, The Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

An interesting element of the items is that a fair percentage of performers – dancers, drummers, martial arts artists – are non-Asian Americans whose interest or curiosity has led them to acquire these skills.

A few indoor events at the neighboring Courtyard Theater have also been organized. These include performances by the Dayoo Orchestra, presentations by the Confucious Institute of UTD. American students learning Chinese in UTD will present a comedic dialogue, known as "Xiangsheng", in English and Chinese to demonstrate competence in Chinese.

An event of this nature will not be complete with the presence of food vendors. A cross section of ethnic food will be served by well known restauransts such as 7 Spices, Cassis, Joy Luck BBQ, Mango Thai, Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream, Shine’s Mediterranean Deli, Masal Wok, and Pinoy Foods.

One of the constants is the highly complimentary feedback the festival has received in its four years of existence; parents have consistently expressed the Festival's consideration for children. This year additional activities have been added. Block printing with children is one them; The Plano Children’s Theatre will be doing this . Zen of Origami will be teaching kids the art of paper folding. There is space for the children to run around. In fact, there is play area with slides and swings in Haggard Park. This year’s event will also be a lot of fun for the whole family.

A convenience not to be overlooked is that parking is plentiful in the downtown area and is free. Entrance to the Festival is also free.

In case you didn't know, the Asian Festival is supported the Mayor, the City Council and the Plano Cultural Affairs Commission. It is sponsored by the City of Plano and local area businesses The support and sponsorship of the event by such high placed government wings highlights the importance of Asians in the life of Plano ’s multicultural population.

Mark your calendar and come and check it out for yourself on Saturday 2nd May,2009.