Joy and happiness roamed Fairfax’s Main Street on July 25, in the form of a Chinese Lion who chased away evil spirits to the delight of the large crowd of event goers. With a vision of “togetherness, love, and the celebration of community” Old Town Fairfax business owners organized the one-day, one-block festival which highlighted Asian heritage through food, arts, and crafts. Performances benefit Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) charities.

The first of its kind in Fairfax, the Asian festival was envisioned by Fairfax business owner Wendy Wong. In just over three months, Wong gained support from the city and an impressive list of sponsors and supporters. The well organized event closed Main Street to vehicle traffic and gave over the space to food trucks, performing artists, games, and tea for the free event.