Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May

This May, the City of Lake Oswego is proud to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people. The AANHPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent including East, Southeast and South Asia and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Visit the Federal Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to learn more about the origins and events for this commemorative history month.

Advancing Leaders Through Innovation

This year’s Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation”. The 2024 theme recognizes the Federal Asian Pacific American Council’s efforts in advancing leaders in the Federal government. For more information on this year’s theme please visit FAPAC - AAPI Resources

Celebrations and Activities

2024 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration
Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 12-3 p.m.
Join Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month in partnership with local nonprofits LO for LOve and Respond To Racism. Peruse food vendors, artisans and nonprofit booths with crafts and activities.

Join the Lake Oswego Public Library in the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI/AANHPI) cultures and heritage. We encourage you to check out some of the amazing things going on throughout the month of May:

A Bookish Affair featuring "A Hidden Moon" by Jeanne Lin on May 12, 11 a.m.
Crochet a Hawaiian Style Lei
American Mah Jongg at the Adult Community Center (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Curated AAPI book/movie lists on our adult and youth Pinterest boards.
Early Childhood Music and Movement in Mandarin Chinese
Inspiring book and media displays at the library

Kodomo no HI - Children's Day
Sunday May 5, 2024 - Portland Japanese Garden
Join the Portland Japanese Garden in celebrating Kodomo no Hi, also called Children’s Day. Kodomo no Hi is commemorated each year in Japan in early May to celebrate children's growth and good fortune. The festival will feature a range of family-friendly activities. Listen to taiko performances, learn how to make origami koi or frogs, participate in a treasure hunt, and enjoy koinobori or cloth carp streamers displays

Oregon APPI Food & Wine Fest 2024
Friday May 18 - Sunday May 19, 2024 - Stoller Family Estate Experience Center
The Oregon AAPI Food & Wine Fest celebrates the AAPI communities that make the state diverse and delicious. Join and celebrate with us during AAPI Heritage Month and Oregon Wine Month.

I Am American Live

Saturday May 17, 2024 7pm- Patricia Reeser Center for the Arts- Beaverton, Oregon

In observance of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, The Immigrant Story invites you on May 11 for the third edition of “I Am An American Live”. This event is part of the programming by the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition, with the aim of drawing attention to the historic xenophobia experienced by the AANHPI community in Oregon and across the U.S.

PBS Documentaries

Every May PBS takes extra time to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by shining a light on AAPI experiences and filmmakers. Enjoy this selection of films, some premiering in May as well as some gems to revisit. These documentaries celebrate the light and love in our diverse AANHPI communities.

History

Throughout history, members of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities have contributed to Oregon’s economy and rich cultural history. To learn more about the contributions of Chinese, Japanese, Hmong, Indian and other Asian and Pacific Islander communities, visit Race, Ethnicity and Nationality page on The Oregon Encyclopedia and select “group”.