OCOEE, Fla — On Sunday, the Asian-American Heritage Council organized the Asian Cultural Festival in Ocoee, as part of the ongoing Asian-American Pacific Islander Month celebrations.

What You Need To Know

  • The Asian Cultural Festival in Ocoee, celebrated the diversity of Asian-American Pacific Islander communities in Central Florida, showcasing customs, food, art, and more

  • Susan Hoeh, coach of the C.H.A.R.G.E. Dragon Boat Team, led a dragon dance performance at the festival

  • The festival also contributed to a scholarship fund organized by the Asian American Heritage Council, which has been awarding scholarships to Asian American students in grades 3 to 12 for the past 25 years

The festival aimed to introduce the diverse cultures of the AAPI communities and their contributions to Central Florida. The event showcased customs, food, art, and more to educate and engage the local community.

Susan Hoeh, the Treasurer for the Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida, led a dragon dance team for their performance at the festival. The dragon dance is traditionally associated with good luck, often performed during New Year's celebrations.

"Dragon dance is kind of like good luck. So you see a lot of dragon dance and lion dance for New Year’s, to open up the beginning of the year and wishing everybody good luck," Hoeh said.

In addition to her involvement with the festival, Hoeh coaches the C.H.A.R.G.E., a competitive dragon boat team based in Central Florida.

Some of her team members participated in the dance performance at the festival.

Although the festival performance was not a competition, Hoeh ensured that everyone was fully prepared for the show. Performing the dragon dance requires physical fitness and stamina.

The dragon boat teammates, thanks to their training, were well-prepared and embraced the challenge, as the dance helps them stay fit during their off-season.

“If you have a person that never has any exercise, all of a sudden they come to the dragon dance, they might hurt themself,” said Hoeh.

After a successful performance, Hoeh, now free to enjoy the Asian Cultural Festival, expressed her excitement to watch performers from different cultures and indulge in the diverse culinary offerings.

When asked about her food preferences, Hoeh joyfully exclaimed, "Everything."

The Asian Cultural Festival also served a philanthropic purpose, as a significant portion of the proceeds went towards a scholarship fund managed by the Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida.

For the past 25 years, the council has awarded scholarships annually to Asian American students ranging from the third to twelfth grades.