Celebrating Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Pacifica Square

The Pacifica Square shopping center in Aurora came alive with the vibrant celebration of Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Located at 4334 E. New York St. on Aurora’s East Side, Pacifica Square hosted the event in collaboration with the Global Friendship Exchange Foundation. Recognized as the largest Asian-centric shopping and lifestyle center in the nation, Pacifica Square has been a hub for cultural celebrations since 2021. This year, the celebration has emerged as one of its flagship events.

The festival, spanning five hours on Saturday, showcased an array of attractions to honor both traditional and contemporary cultural elements. Attendees experienced live performances, food contests, cosplay competitions, art, music, and interactive entertainment.

Judy Ni, director of real estate for the Windfall Group of Oak Brook, which developed Pacifica Square, mentioned that the celebration marked its sixth annual occurrence at the shopping center. She emphasized the event’s purpose of uniting the community and cultures in a single venue. With May designated as Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the timing for the celebration was ideal. Ni stated, “It’s a perfect time for people to come together and celebrate and also honor their heritage as well.” She expressed a desire to continue hosting this event to perpetuate the spirit of celebration and heritage.

Among those who took part in the festivities was Raju Kumal from Aurora, who, while shopping with his children, decided to join the celebration after noticing the lively crowd. He remarked, “This reflects what we have here right now in Aurora.”

Brett Day from Geneva also participated in the event, enjoying a variety of food offerings. He noted the celebration’s significance in providing the community with a chance to engage with Asian culture and cuisine. “I’m trying some vegetarian food and I’m good to try some more from the other food trucks,” he said.

The event saw the involvement of numerous community organizations and vendors, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of the Aurora community.