Festival celebrating Taiwanese culture with bubble tea rocks Maryland

Washington, Sept. 19 (CNA) The annual Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival was held in Rockville, Maryland, on Saturday, celebrating Taiwanese culture through the island's iconic beverage.

According to the organizers, Taiwan Sister Cities (TSC) and the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, visitors were able to sample Taiwanese specialties and enjoy themed performances at the festival.

In addition to bubble tea, the eighth edition of the celebration featured minced pork rice and gua bao buns as well as Taiwanese songs and dance.

The event was attended by officials from Taiwan and the United States, including Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), his deputy Yang Yi-shan (楊懿珊), American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Washington Office Managing Director Ingrid Larson, and Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton.

Speaking at the festival, Ashton said Taiwan and the U.S. are countries that share the values of democracy, inclusivity and cooperation.

Taiwan's iconic beverage is now commonplace in her city, and if bubble tea can become so easily accepted, then so can love, acceptance and partnerships, Ashton said.

Speaking with CNA, TSC Director Minze Chien (簡明子) said the weather Saturday was the best the festival had experienced since its inception, helping draw 18,000 visitors to its 43 booths that showcased not only Taiwan but also Hong Kong and Ukraine.

The good weather was in stark contrast to one year when there was heavy rain and only 3,000 people attended, Chien said.

Of the stalls, Chien said 22 were dedicated to food and beverages, of which five, including Taiwan's popular bubble tea brand 50 Lan, sold bubble tea specifically.

The bubble tea festival, Chien said, is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and features not just food and drinks but also singing and dancing.