CEDAR RAPIDS — Congressman Rod Blum was in Cedar Rapids Saturday to celebrate Asian culture and serve as an honorary guest speaker during the fourth annual Asian Fest celebration.

“We’re obviously a nation of immigrants, and I think the Asian culture really fits in to the American culture,” Blum said. “They work very, very hard and I am so impressed.

“We’re so blessed the Asian culture is here in Cedar Rapids, along with the Czech ... and all the different cultures,” Blum added, giving special kudos to Asian woman. “I always tell Asian men, ‘You are blessed and lucky to be married to an Asian woman.’ They are tremendous, very hard workers, very respectful.”

Honing a mission of cultivating, promoting and advocating Asian cultures in Eastern Iowa, Asian Fest took place throughout the day at the McGrath Amphitheatre in downtown Cedar Rapids. It featured an array of food and community vendors with attendees able to experience a blend of Asian cultures.

Booths represented nations such as Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Tai Dam, India, Korea, China, Japan and Nepal. Food was served up by vendors such as Bubble Tea Cup, South Indian Cuisine, La Reyna, Taste of Asia, Lumpia, Spring Roll Hut and the Salsa Guy. Live performances on main stage included a South Korean Taekwondo demonstration, a fashion show and a performance by Gimikk — a rock band from Des Moines.

The event was sponsored in partnership with the Iowa Asian Alliance.

Iowa Asian Alliance Board Director Nathan Ritz touted the statewide organization, citing how it first became involved with Asian Fest.

“We are the statewide organization that seeks to promote and include Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders at all levels of our community for the economic benefit of everyone,” Ritz said. “And so when this organization came to us and said, ‘Hey, we have this festival that’s been going on for one year and we really need someone to be our parent organization,’ it was kind of a no-brainer.

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“We’re called the Iowa Asian Alliance, so why wouldn’t we serve the entire state of Iowa?”

Cedar Rapids City Council member Scott Olson, who is running to become the city’s next mayor, was also welcomed to speak at Asian Fest, where he read a proclamation from Mayor Ron Corbett declaring Saturday, July 8, as Asian Heritage Day in Cedar Rapids.

“As a result of their determination, intelligence, hard work and perseverance, Asians have contributed immensely to the growth and stability of this great community,” Olson said.

Also speaking at Asian Fest was State Rep. Ashley Hinson and former Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon, who also is in the running to become the city’s next mayor.

“I’m so proud of everybody who is out here. It’s really by coming out and experiencing the different cultures that we really see the strength we have in Cedar Rapids and so much of it is in our diversity,” Vernon said.

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