The 11th Annual Knox Asian Festival: What to know and expect for the festival this year

The 11th annual Knox Asian Festival is coming back to the World’s Fair Park with a surprise lurking in the shadows: real-life ninjas.

Visitors can enjoy over 40 food vendors, dozens of arts and craft vendors, and activities for the whole family.

The new $3 cashless entrance fee will help cover costs and give organizers a cushion for future planning, as well as funding for the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee.

"Proceeds from the Knox Asian Festival will fund year-round cultural outreach programs that help East Tennessee’s K-12 students grow up to be global citizens," according to the Knox Asian Festival.

Kumi Alderman, the Knox Asian Festival director, said the ultimate goal is to build an Asian cultural center in Knoxville.

Knox Asian Festival schedule and activities

The annual festival is one of the most popular at World's Fair Park.

"Prepare to experience authentic foods, exciting performances, and traditional activities that represent the Asian cultures of Japan, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal and Pakistan," according to the Knox Asian Festival website .

The main festival will begin with the parade of nations starting at splash pad fountains and concluding on the amphitheater stage. Ninjas from the ASHURA ninja corps from the Ninja Museum of Iga-ryu, Japan, will participate.

The festival will include performances, including:

• Thailand dance
• Chinese dance and martial arts
• Manthan (Indian) dance
• Philippine independence music and dance group
• Nepal dance performance
• Korean fan dancers from Atlanta
• K-pop dance
• Dragon and lion dance by Wah Lum Kang Fu School
• Matsuriza drum and ninja show is on 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

There will also be the popular passport program, which encourages everyone to visit each country’s representative pavilions, to collect stamps, and for a chance to win prizes (hint: one of the prizes has to do with candy). There is also a cosplay contest.

Knox Asian Fest hours, date and admission

The festival will be 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 8. The fee is $3 for visitors 12 years and older and free for children younger than 12.

A special event will be held the previous night, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 7. Tickets are $25 and include a festival T-shirt and all-day access to the festival the next day.

Ninjas will perform a special show at the Friends of the Festival VIP event. Other performances include Matsuriza Taiko Drum Troupe and Natyarpana Dance Company.

How to get tickets for the Knox Asian Festival

Organizers hope you buy your tickets online ahead of time. All entry gates are cashless. Tickets can be printed or displayed on your phone.

Organizers are looking for volunteers. Apply online at the Knox Asian Festival website , knoxasianfestival.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: The 11th Annual Knox Asian Festival: What to know and expect for the festival this year