The annual Lotus Festival returned to Echo Park this weekend, marking its 43rd celebration with a vibrant display of cultural heritage. Held on July 13-14, the event highlighted the rich traditions of Los Angeles’ Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Each year, the festival features a different nation from this region. This year’s celebration honored the Philippines, offering attendees a taste of Filipino culture through traditional dance performances, music, art, and cuisine.

With over 65 vendors, the festival drew thousands of visitors to Echo Park Lake to enjoy the festivities. For Katherine Quimpo, the Lotus Festival has been a cherished tradition.

“I’ve been coming here with my family since I was 12 years old, and now at 25, as a proud Filipino American, I love experiencing the culture and meeting other Filipino Americans here,” Quimpo said. “I love getting to sit in front of the stage and listen to the local Filipino-based artists. Some of them even sing in Tagalog, which is our native language.”

The Lotus Festival began in 1972, making it one of the longest-running cultural festivals in Los Angeles. The festival was named after the lotus flowers that bloom in Echo Park Lake, which are believed to have been planted by local Japanese-American residents in the early 20th century.

Building on this rich history, this year’s festival aimed to offer something new and exciting for attendees. Organizers introduced a special addition that brought an extra layer of fun to the event.

“This year we added a carnival. Throughout some of the areas, we opened up the parking lot more to add more carnival rides and community booths for our guests,” said Lotus Festival Chairman Carlos Alvarado. “We work on this festival year round and it brings our staff together at the Department of Recreation and Parks. I am very happy our staff’s hard work is showing because we have a big amount of people this year that showed out.”

The event also featured a Water Lantern Festival, where attendees designed their own lanterns and set them afloat in Echo Park Lake.

One of the standout artists at this year’s festival was Diane Valencia, owner and creator of Ginto Seeds, an artistic multimedia platform. She showcased handmade necklaces and intricate wood art, drawing considerable attention from festival-goers.

“My artwork is inspired by pre-colonial Filipino culture, and I use an ancient Filipino script called baybayin in a lot of my pieces because a lot of people don’t know that we have our own writing system,” Valencia said. “My wooden pieces are made from a method I use called solar pyrography, where I use a magnifying glass to focus sunlight and burn intricate designs into the wood.”

Food lovers also had plenty to indulge in, with a wide array of culinary delights from various Asian and Pacific Islander cuisines. From savory Filipino adobo and lumpia to sweet treats like halo-halo and bibingka, there was something to satisfy every palate.

The two-day event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Mayor Karen Bass and actor Peter Kwong. KTLA’s Cher Calvin also attended and served as the festival’s emcee for the opening ceremony.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of this festival is its ability to span generations, attracting both new visitors and those with deep, long-standing connections. Nancy Sumida, 82, shared that this festival holds a special place in her heart.

“I still come to this day because it reminds me of when I used to come here with my husband years ago. We were young then, and I remember bringing our son when he was just  a little boy—he’s now 48. It has always been so beautiful, nice, and green. The performances, atmosphere and people have always made this festival special,” Sumida said.