Summer Festival 2008. Was it really just one short year ago, I started in my position as Executive Director for the CIDBIA? Last year, I mostly observed and appreciated the talents and hard work that the staff, volunteers and organizers gave to produce a successful Summer Festival. This year, I know first hand how hard they, as well as those who produced the previous 33 years worked to establish this Summer Festival as the largest pan-Asian festival in the Pacific Northwest. To all that proceeded me, I say Thank You for passing on this tradition that welcomes neighbors, families and visitors to our community, to share in our culture, traditions and history.
While many significant moments have occurred in the Chinatown /ID this past year,, there are 2 specifically that come to my mind. The completion of the China Gate on the West end of King Street and the opening of the beautiful new and enlarged Wing Luke Museum on the East end of King Street. The China Gate welcomes people to the CID and the Wing Luke Museum beckons them up King Street, the heart of the district, so that visitors might learn and appreciate both the history and culture of this neighborhood. These two projects are significant additions to our community and can be a catalyst in revitalizing and enhancing the business district of the CID. The China Gate and the Wing Luke Museum are invitations to the residents and visitors of Seattle. We need to expect company and make our neighborhood ready to receive them.
