Asian culture on display in Newport Beach

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Members of the Hawaiian traditional dance group Aroha Tahi, perform and open the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday. (Don Leach / Photos by Don Leach | Daily Pilot)

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Cherrie MaiHoa, left, and Miss Angie, of flowers and fruit carvings, stand behind swans carved out of cantaloupes at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday. (Don Leach / Don LeachDaily Pilot)

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Members of the Vietnamese drum crew from Thien An Performing Arts perform at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Several different grilled skewers including American hot dogs and marinated chicken await guests at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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El Toro Battalion Sea Cadets from of the US Navy open the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Members of the Vietnamese drum crew from Thien An Performing Arts, perform at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Members of the Hawaiian dance crew Aroha Tahi perform at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Cooks prepare Laotian barbeque skewers at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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A youngster performs a traditional Hawaiian dance in front of a traditional drum crew at the 2016 Asian Pacific Festival at the Dunes Resort on Saturday.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

By Daily Pilot staff

Oct. 22, 2016 6:27 PM PT

Visitors eager to explore arts and culture gathered at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach on Saturday for opening day of the weekend Asian Pacific Festival.

The event kicked off with a dragon boat race, a male conch hula dance and a torch lighting.

The festival spotlights the culture of China, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia with musical performances, exhibitions and native cuisine.

It also features a children’s art contest, carnival rides and beer and wine tasting.

The festivities will wrap up Sunday with a hip-hop competition and a unity candle-lighting ceremony. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission is $5 (free for children 6 and younger).

Newport Dunes is at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information about the festival, visit apfestival.org.