On September 27th, the campus of the Northern Fei Tian College in Middletown, New York, was filled with the sights and sounds of autumn, with geese leisurely foraging for food. The 2025 Arts and Culture Festival kicked off, a two-day event featuring a fusion of food, art, and musical performances that attracted many participants.
The Chairperson of the Asian American Alliance Community of Orange County, Janet Xiong, expressed her intentions for the event, stating, “We hope to bring everyone together, allowing different communities to showcase their cultures, engage in mutual exchange, and share their cultural heritage.”
Congressman Pat Ryan of the 18th district of New York sent a certificate of recognition to the organizers of the festival, acknowledging their efforts in promoting cultural exchange and strengthening shared values. In the letter, he commended their commitment to fostering cultural understanding.
Ryan also conveyed his sincerest congratulations to the Asian American Alliance Community of Orange County, praising the successful organization of the 2025 Arts and Culture Festival. He lauded the vibrant celebration for showcasing rich traditions, exquisite arts, and diverse cultural heritage, fostering unity within the community.
Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano of Middletown City, one of the event’s co-organizers, delivered a speech at the venue, praising the beauty of the surroundings, delicious food offerings, exciting performances, and the organizers’ efforts in making the day enjoyable at the picturesque Fei Tian College campus.
DeStefano highlighted the significance of the event in the community’s development, emphasizing the presence of three universities in Middletown that contribute to the area’s artistic growth, particularly the Fei Tian College known for its emphasis on the arts.
The festival not only showcased the rich cultures of the East and West but also provided attendees with an unforgettable culinary experience. From grilled skewers and sweet treats to Indian delicacies, unique Vietnamese dishes, classic Taiwanese street food, and flavorful Mexican dishes, the event offered a diverse gastronomic journey.
Local establishments like the Taco Factory in Middletown served Mexican delicacies, while Fei Tian College’s award-winning chef, Luo Zizhao, delighted attendees with his Cantonese cuisine creations. The festival encouraged participants to wear traditional attire from various cultures, fostering the beauty of multiculturalism.
Among the visitors was Ethan Hart, an engineer from a construction company, who dressed in a Japanese anime character costume purchased at a recent Mid-Autumn Festival event. He expressed his delight with the performances, art exhibitions, culinary offerings, and activities at the festival, describing his experience as truly wonderful.
Ethan found the festival enriching, mentioning how it brought together diverse cultures and expressed his love for learning about different traditions and folk tales, believing that history can teach respect and empathy for others.
Larry Nunziato, another attendee, appreciated the cultural renaissance atmosphere of the event, particularly praising the handmade artistic creations displayed, emphasizing the importance of understanding history to foster personal growth.
A visitor, Mr. Cao, highlighted the significance of platforms like the festival in bridging cultural divides, stressing the mutual benefits of East-West cultural exchange and integration, promoting peace and enlightenment through various art forms and performances.
The festival schedule included:
– September 27th: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
– September 28th: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Address: 14 Jason Place, Middletown, NY.
Admission was free, and parking was also provided free of charge.