Just when it seemed like things hardly could get any hotter than the scorching 93 degrees at Saturday’s Chinese Expo, a proverbial and possibly fire-breathing dragon snaked its colorful way down Fourth Street in downtown Columbus.
Roused by thundering drums and crashing cymbals, the fictional, festive, costume-like beast, guided by the Indianapolis Chinese Community Center group, became a centerpiece in the city’s second ethnic extravaganza in its newfangled summer and fall cultural series. Plus, that segment alone in the day’s events attracted an estimated 300 people alone crowded in the street.
Combined with perhaps another 300 visitors earlier in the day, it made for a healthy turnout on a day of highlighting a major segment of the city’s Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino culture, according to organizers. The Columbus Chinese Association planned the seven-hour, free gathering with the help of the Columbus Area Visitors Center.
“It’s been a great day despite the crazy heat,” said Haley Anderson, the visitors center’s downtown community coordinator. “It’s been pretty awesome.”
She and a few others had been on hand since 6:30 a.m. for the event and vendor booth set-up with staff from Ogle Tool & Party Rentals to erect tents. The coverings held everything from Chinese food to souvenirs such as ornately painted, mini-Asian masks and handmade, silk handbags. Those souvenir sales raised money for the Columbus Chinese School.
“Sales have been pretty good,” said Linda Shi, wearing a delicate, handmade blouse from Beijing, China.
Elsewhere, organizers sold items such as plush, stuffed pandas for $1. Columbus Chinese Association President Susan Zhuang stood nearby. Earlier, she mentioned she worried little about a somewhat smaller crowd earlier in the day.
“I knew we would have a big crowd for Dragon Dance and Lion Dance,” Zhuang said.
The crowd also was sizable for the Yaping Dance Group that performed a flowing, lyrical piece in the middle of the street to a soothing Asian flute track. Also earning its share of applause was the Cummins Diversity Choir, performing everything from Chinese pieces to pop classics. It marked the first performance of the group, representing eight nations, in 18 months.
“We’re just so glad to be out here,” said director Robin Macheel.
So were representatives from the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Cultural Learning Center, helping youngsters and adults alike make simple, handmade lanterns with Chinese markings and messages.
Taking it all in were visitors such as Jill West, who moved to Columbus from Bloomington, Illinois about 18 months ago. She enjoyed the event, but wished for more, allowing that organizers were especially cautious amid COVID-19 concerns.
“I actually would like to see a bigger one,” West said, sipping a beer in the shade outside The Commons at Fourth and Washington streets while her dog Charlotte, a long-haired Weimaraner, perched next to a bowl of water. “And I think being outside makes that the safest part of all this.”
