The 2024 Delaware Chinese Festival was held at the Chinese American Community Center (CACC) in Hockessin from June 21st to 23rd, marking its 30th anniversary as the largest Chinese festival in Delaware. The event showcased the rich and diverse traditional Chinese culture through special exhibitions, food, and cultural performances.
This year’s activities included ceramic art displays, Chinese calligraphy, tea tasting, children’s activities, food sampling, table tennis tournaments, and captivating performances such as dragon and lion dances, folk songs and dances, diabolo spinning, taekwondo, martial arts, and more.
The Chinese Festival attracts thousands of attendees each year, including notable political figures like Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, State Senators Laura Sturgeon, State Representatives Mike Ramone and Mike Smith, New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer, New Castle County Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick, and Director Guo Dawen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, D.C.
Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, who rang the opening bell for the festival, emphasized the importance of showcasing diversity and community unity through the festival’s crafts and dances. She highlighted how the festival brings people together to celebrate diversity and solve issues collectively.
Senator Sturgeon praised the festival for providing a platform for neighborhood interactions that strengthen community bonds, while Representative Smith commended the festival for its ability to unite people and promote community spirit.
Assemblyman Ramone reflected on the festival’s role in fostering understanding and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of coming together and celebrating diversity. New Castle County Executive Meyer acknowledged the festival’s significance in celebrating both Chinese culture and Delaware’s diverse community.
Councilwoman Kilpatrick praised the festival as a place for community gathering, exchange, and enjoyment, noting its role in bringing people together for a shared experience.
First-time attendee Eric Hansen, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, was impressed by the dance performances and acknowledged the festival’s role in educating the public about the Chinese community while fostering community cohesion.
Barbara Silber, chair of the CACC Board and co-chair of the festival, attributed the festival’s enduring appeal to a blend of tradition and innovation. She highlighted the incorporation of new elements alongside beloved programs to ensure everyone can enjoy the festival, which rare opportunity to bring generations of families together.
Volunteer Jiang Wei highlighted traditional festival activities such as Chinese calligraphy demonstrations and helping Westerners write their Chinese names, activities well-received by Western attendees. He shared his deep appreciation for Chinese culture, especially the art of calligraphy, and its value in promoting cultural exchange.
Director Guo Dawen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, D.C., praised the festival for preserving traditional Chinese culture and fostering positive interactions in both personal and professional settings.
Archaeologist Wade Catts attended the festival with his family, spanning three generations, illustrating the festival’s impact across different age groups and its role in community cohesion. They have made attending the festival a tradition that brings their family together annually.
Visiting schoolteacher Nancy, who moved to Delaware from New York two years ago, attended the festival for the first time and was struck by its warm atmosphere and the importance of living in a multicultural environment. She emphasized the significance of the festival as not just a celebration but also a cultural experience that enriches lives.
Overall, the Delaware Chinese Festival has become a cherished tradition that unites communities, celebrates diversity, and promotes cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impact on attendees from diverse backgrounds.