Brief History of the Lotus Festival
2006 Festival Photo via LA Taco
Since we didn’t publish our usual “Flashback Friday” history post yesterday, with the Lotus Festival going on I thought it’d be a good opportunity to do a quick history of the Fest.
"Lotus Festival in the 1970s." Flickr photo by La Angelena
The Lotus Festival started out being called “The Day of the Lotus,” and debuted at Echo Park Lake in 1972 thanks to the Department of Recreation and Parks and members of the Council of Oriental Organizations (COO). Each festival takes place in July, timed for the blooming of the lotus flowers. Starting out as one-day affairs, the Day of the Lotus was designed to promote awareness of the contributions by Asian Americans to our culture and communities. The festival focuses on a different Asian ethnicity each year, this year they will showcase the Chinese culture.
The Festival was renamed “Lotus Festival” in 1990, and include the theme: “The Peoples and Culture of the Pacific Rim.” In 1991 the Lotus Advisory Board was developed, and included representatives from various Asian and Pacific Island communities.
"Lotus Festival in the 1970s." Flickr photo by La Angelena
I’m not sure when the dragon boat races began exactly, but the Dragon Boat website says it started when “the festival had a Chinese opening day ceremony.”
The origin of the lotus themselves are murky. Possible mentions of the lotus bed goes back as early as 1891, when development of the actual park first began (fun fact – it was first a reservoir and cost $5,637.00 to fill the newly formed lake with city water). However, that is not confirmed, and it’s more likely they showed up in 1923 or 1924. I have also read accounts of there maybe being two beds of lotus plants in the lake instead of just one.
Though there are rumors about the origins of the plants themselves (including that the Angeles Temple missionaries planted them using seeds from China), noone knows really where they came from or when. According the LA Parks website, the existing lotus plants in the lake are assumed to be “biologically linked to the original plants” as they are unaware of any supplemental planting since the original bed was created.
Even though the lotus flowers in Echo Park Lake were often considered the largest outside of Asia, the Echo Park Historical Society notes it’s only the largest in the Western U.S., citing larger beds in “the Carolinas, Hawaii and possibly Florida.”
The last couple of years have been difficult for the Lotus Festival. In 2007, the Lotus bed seemed to be dying off, and now are completely gone probably due to pollution and temperature changes. Last year the Lotus Festival was canceled due to city budget cuts, instead the community held the Echo Park Community Festival. When the city rebuilds Echo Park Lake, starting construction in April 2011, the Lotus bed will be a part of the rehab. You can also read a fact sheet from the Dept. of Parks and Rec about why the lotus went in decline and what they’re doing about by clicking here (for instance, they planted nine tubers this year to see if they will grow).
Thank you to “La Angelena” of LAHistory on Twitter for the photos – it’s been hard finding pictures of the early days of the Lotus Festival!
Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let
you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure
why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
It’s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info.
I am happy that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to
date like this. Thank you for sharing.
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am actually pleassant to read everthing at alone place.
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get
that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual
appeal. I must say you’ve done a great job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads super fast for me on Safari.
Excellent Blog!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS.
I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same
RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
I all the time emailed this web site post page to
all my associates, since if like to read it after that my contacts will too.
This paragraph is truly a nice one it assists new net viewers, who
are wishing for blogging.
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you
knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
If some one desires expert view regarding blogging and site-building then i advise him/her to go to see this blog, Keep up the fastidious work.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your content seem to be running off
the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a format
issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d
post to let you know. The style and design look
great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Many thanks
find loads of hot college girls
It’s going to be end of mine day, however before ending I am reading this enormous article
to improve my know-how.
Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thank you
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Safari.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to
do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your
website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here
and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
Good web site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
I’ve read a few good stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for
revisiting. I surprise how so much effort
you set to make any such fantastic informative web site.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea
shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and
it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off
topic but I had to tell someone!
Wow, fantastic weblog format! How lengthy have you ever
been blogging for? you make running a blog look easy.
The whole look of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!
Hello to every one, since I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It consists of nice data.
Wow, incredible blog layout! How lengthy have you been blogging
for? you made running a blog look easy. The
overall glance of your website is excellent, as neatly as the content
material!
This info is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find out more?
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I
thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going
to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific site.
Excellent post. I’m dealing with a few of these issues as
well..
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff previous to and you are simply
extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve bought here, really like what you are stating and the
way in which you assert it. You make it entertaining and
you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to learn much
more from you. That is really a wonderful website.
If you want to grow your know-how simply keep visiting this website and be updated with the latest information posted here.
Thanks , I have recently been looking for info about this topic for a long time and yours is the
best I’ve found out so far. But, what in regards to the
bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?
What’s up mates, how is the whole thing, and what you wish for to say
about this post, in my view its truly awesome
for me.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific site.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for
me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
designer to create your theme? Great work!
I like what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your site offered us with valuable information to work on.
You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one¡¦s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
I¡¦ve learn several excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you place to make one of these fantastic informative site.
There is evidently a bunch to identify about this. I think you made various nice points in features also.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly needed to write on my site something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my website?
I?m amazed, I have to state. Truly seldom do I experience a blog that?s both enlightening and also entertaining, and let me inform you, you have actually hit the nail on the head. Your suggestion is outstanding; the issue is something that insufficient individuals are speaking smartly about. I am really happy that I came across this in my look for something relating to this.
Hola Jim, gracias por las amables palabras – sí, la membresía gratuita siempre está disponible en estos días (no se requiere tarjeta de crédito, sólo regístrese con una dirección de correo electrónico y confírmelo – ¡simple!)
Ahh – Acabo de leer su último comentario antes de este Naahil! Ok, dejé Neobux hace un año porque tuve mucho éxito con los sitios web que tengo – no tuve tiempo de revisar mis referencias todos los días (¡así que tomé un último retiro grande y corrí!). Solía esperar 6 días hasta que reciclaba un referido, pero tenía en cuenta su historial (cuánto me habían ganado, etc.).