Mid Valley News Date Published: February 10, 1999 Author: Ms Grace Yu 13th Anniversary of the Asian American Expo Full Story El Monte, CA – recognized as one of the largest Chinese Lunar Year celebrations in the West, the Asian American Expo, now in its 13th anniversary, is slated for Feb. 13 & 14 at the Pomona Fairgrounds, where more than 100,000 Asian consumers are expected over two days. Thirteen years ago, the El Monte based Chinese Overseas Marketing Service organized the Asian American Expo to share a living cultural heritage and promote better understanding among people of different backgrounds through the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year festival. The Expo this year consists of more than 800 booths showcasing legal, financial services and telecom providers as well as products ranging from small products, vitamins, cosmetics, jewelry to the expensive imports and hi-tech electronic and computer equipment. Highlights are Chinese Shiao-Ling Kung Fu demonstrations, Taiwanese ethnic dance, sword fencing, Korean drum troupe, Indian harvest dance, Thai Palace dance, American square dance, African dance, etc…..Also among the scheduled events are Philippine Bamboo dance , Japanese Taiko, Peking Opera, and a special military demonstration performed by the Swat Team of Sheriffs County of Los Angeles. For food lovers, Hall 4 and Hall 6 feature a wide selection of mouthwatering Asian delicacies for them to sample from Chinese Chow –Mien, Taiwanese sausages and Pearl drinks, Japanese Sushi, and Korean B-B-Q dishes make the Expo a must-to event for food lovers during the New Year holidays. Also in this year, new attractions are a petting zoo, a pair of African camels, alligator and elephant rides, which will be showcased at Exhibit Hall 7 and the outdoors. Asian American Expo ’98 will open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, Feb. 13th and Sunday Feb 14th. Admission tickets will be only be available on site. Admission fee is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Children ages 3 and under will be admitted free of charge. $1 discount coupons will be distributed at Chinese supermarkets or can be requested by calling the Organizer at (626) 350-7888 one week prior to show day. The Pomona Fairplex is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona.