The Williamsburg Pottery drew crowds Saturday despite the dreary weather, as its Asian Festival returned for a fourth year.
The event featured food tastings, martial arts demonstrations, music, dancing and more in a celebration of Asian culture.
“It’s a nice community event that the Pottery holds,” said Angela Ronk, a Williamsburg resident who has attended the festival in the past.
She praised this year’s earlier start time and more varied performances.
“It actually keeps getting bigger and better,” Ronk said. “I think it’s great. I think people who are Asian like bringing their kids to get into the culture, and people who really don’t know much about it can come learn.”
Ross Patton attended the festival for the first time Saturday, hoping to learn something new in the process. He said he would be likely to come back should the event return in 2019.
“I’ve seen some wonderful things,” Patton said, declaring the day’s multiple dance performances his favorite among the festivities. “It’s always good to indulge in different cultures and realize there are different ways of thinking.”
The free event coincided with the Pottery’s celebration of its 80th birthday.
Denise Hilton, a Pottery employee of five years, said the latest festival seemed busier than ever before. She said it was a natural fit for Williamsburg and its diverse residents.
“It’s bigger and better every year,” she said. “It exposes Asian culture to the rest of us who have no clue. It’s just a perfect way to come out and see something that you don’t normally see.”
