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2016 Pista sa Nayon

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Location Seattle
Dates July 31, 2016 - July 31, 2016
Description:

From 2016 Pista sa Nayon Website:

Pista sa Nayon is an all volunteer non-profit organization responsible for organizing the Filipino American community festival held during Seattle's summertime SEAFAIR celebration.

History
The tradition of the Pista sa Nayon dates back centuries to the rural areas and towns of the Philippines. During Pista sa Nayon (a Filipino phrase translated town festival) Filipinos would gather for a fiesta in the middle of town to celebrate a good harvest, and it would be a time for people to focus on their neighbors, family and friends, solidifying the sense of community and hard work.

This tradition has been carried from the Philippines to America since the first large waves of Filipino immigrants arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Festivals are held in many communities with significant Filipino American populations, such as those in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Honolulu. Even so, none has surpassed the size of Pista sa Nayon in Seattle.

The festival in Seattle was first proposed in 1990 by Ron Sims, then a member of the King County Council. Together with his wife, Cayan Topacio and his staff assistant Bengie Santos (both Filipino Americans), they approached Filipino American community leaders and asked for their support for a summer festival associated with Seafair. The purpose of the festival was to give the growing Filipino American population a sense of partnership with the larger Seattle community. African American, Latino, Native American, and other Asian American groups already had celebrations as part of Seafair.

By 1990, the Filipino American community was fast becoming the largest Asian American group in the State of Washington. Most of this population is concentrated in the Puget Sound area, among the counties of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish. With this in mind, Sims, Topacio, Santos and Mars Rivera and Dr. Camilo de Guzman, Filipino American leaders, mobilized the community to support the establishment of Pista.

The first festival was held in 1990 at Rainier Playfield, drawing roughly 2,000 attendees. By the year 2000, Pista was drawing in excess of 10,000 people. In 2001, an estimated 15,000 people came to Pista at the Seward Park Amphitheatre. Pista sa Nayons format has remained the same since 1990. Food booths operated by local nonprofit organizations and Filipino American restaurants are the fare of the day. Human service organizations provide free helpful information for children, youth, families and seniors of the community. Entertainment is donated by professionals providing displays of cultural heritage and enrichment, and amateurs wishing to showcase their pride and love for the community. Community support is the key to Pistas success. Throughout each year, volunteers plan, meet and raise funds to ensure its success. Over 150 volunteers work on Pista, now the largest outdoor Filipino American event in the country. Catering to everyone from birth to community elders, it has become the essential family reunion on a wonderfully grand scale.
Contact nameSign Up To Be A Member
PhoneSign Up To Be A Member
Event WebsiteSign Up To Be A Member
Show hoursSun 9-8
Application Deadline2016-06-15
Year #n/a
Art/Craft Space
price
varies, see application
Maps and Directions (from Google Maps)
For ended craft show, fairs and festivals, please go to our archive page.