Takin' it to the Streets

Frank Fat probably would be pleased with how enthusiastically the community embraced his idea of an Asian cultural celebration.

The 16th annual Pacific Rim Street Fest, founded in 1993 by the Sacramento restaurateur (who died in 1997) and other community leaders, will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m.

Organizers expect 30,000 people to fill the streets of Old Sacramento (site of three entertainment stages) and spill over into Downtown Plaza, where a fourth stage will be set up in front of Macy's.

The sponsoring Asian Pacific Rim Foundation (The Bee is an event partner) is bringing in a range of entertainers, from Sacramento Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming) and Sacramento Chinese Folk Dance Studio to New Star Chinese School (song and dance) and Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition, there will be martial arts demonstrations, Hawaiian dancers, break dancers, East Indian dancers and Filipino singers and dancers.

The theme is "Traditional Fashion," and at 11:45 a.m. on the K Street Stage in Old Sacramento, a fashion show of sorts will offer instructions in how to tie and wear a sarong, along with a look at Japanese clothing for all seasons.

Various arts-and-crafts vendors will be on hand throughout the day, as will representatives of such community organizations as the Asian Community Center, Heartsent Adoptions and Golden State Donor Services. In addition, festival-goers can find medical information at a health fair.

Of all the activities that are to be squeezed into the seven-hour Pacific Rim Street Fest, event chairwoman Merlayna Yee-Chin says she most looks forward to tasting a little of this, a little of that.

"It's an experience to see the entertainers, to take in the drumming and music and dancing, but I go for the food," says Yee-Chin, who was the event's volunteer coordinator for the first 15 years.

Organizers have kept the event free of charge, she says, because they want to encourage everyone to come.

"People should come to the festival because it's great to see the costumes and all the children who come. It's a family event that both young and old will appreciate."

Pacific Rim Street Fest

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Old Sacramento and Downtown Plaza

Cost: Free

Information: (916) 451-6200, www.pacificrimstreetfest.com

Sacramento Bee/ 49er Stage Old Sacramento

10:30 a.m., Lee Jet Don lion dance

11 a.m., Opening ceremonies

11:30 a.m., Sacramento Taiko, drumming

12:30 p.m., Elk Grove Chinese School, song and dance

1:30 p.m., Hui O Hawaii, dance

2:30 p.m., Andy Ah Po, martial arts

3 p.m., Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps

3:30 p.m., Ka Pa Hula O Kalma

4:30 p.m., Lee Jet Don, lion dancers

Wells Fargo Stage/ Riverfront Stage Old Sacramento

10:30 a.m., Te Mau Tamari'i A Tiare, Polynesian dance

11:30 a.m., Sinag Tala, Filipino song and dance

12:15 p.m., Angelace, contemporary songs

1:15 p.m., New Star Chinese School, song and dance

1:45 p.m., Koyasan Taiko, drumming

2:45 p.m., Sakura Minyo Doko Kai, traditional Japanese dance

3:15 p.m., Ron Ortman, Pacific Rim dance

3:45 p.m., To'erau Te Mata'i, Polynesian dance

4:15 p.m., Eastern Ways Martial Arts

K Street Stage Old Sacramento

10:30 a.m., Sari, Thai dances/Chiraporn Tatum

10:45 a.m., Liahona Warrior Arts, Indonesian martial arts

11:15 a.m., Kaiser Educational Theater

11:45 a.m., Polynesian and Japanese clothing demonstration

Noon, Halu O Kerikiali'i, Polynesian dance

1 p.m., Akido Martial Arts

2:30 p.m., Thai dancing and boxing demonstration

3 p.m., Academy-Eskrima/ Arnis/Kali, Filipino martial arts

4 p.m., Aloha Polynesia

Plaza Stage, Downtown Plaza (in front of Macy's)

10:30 a.m., Makemei Melia O Polynesia

11:30 a.m., Red Shoes Performing Arts, Chinese song and dance

Noon, Ohana dance group, Polynesian dance

1 p.m., Kaiser Educational Theater

1:30 p.m., Old Pinoy, Filipino and classic tunes

2 p.m., Sacramento Chinese Folk Dance Studio

2:30 p.m., Hmong Cultural Dance Association

3 p.m., Nada Brahma Ensemble, East Indian dance

3:30 p.m., Flexible Flave, break dancing

4 p.m., CDR Chinese Orchestra

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Dixie Reid, (916) 321-1134.