Annandale hosts the KORUS Festival May 3-5

The 2024 KORUS Festival is bringing music, food, and cultural experiences from Korea and other nations to Annandale May 3-5.

The event, at the K Market parking lot on John Marr Drive, is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.

KORUS will kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the theme “Embrace Peace,” says event coordinator Anna Ko of the Korean American Association of Greater Washington.

Dozens of vendors have signed on but there are still a few spaces available, Ko says. If you’re interested in participating as a food or other vendor, sign up here. All types of cuisines – not just Asian – are welcome.

To participate as a sponsor, sign up here.

Here’s what’s planned for the main stage:

Friday, May 3:

• 6 p.m. – Asian culture exhibition.
• 7 p.m. – Opening ceremony with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay, Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez, and other VIPs.
• 8 p.m. – K-pop dance night.

Saturday, May 4:

• 1 p.m. – Korus Got Talent
• 3 p.m. – Big Band, Tae Kwon Do and self-defense training, Nanta drum group, dance and music.
• 8 p.m. – K-pop dance night with many local dance groups.

Sunday, May 5:

• 11 a.m. – Sunday morning pop.
• 1 p.m. – Senior Superstar singing contest.
• 4 p.m. – Oldies pop band Good Friends, followed by hip hop, Korean traditional, and K-pop dance performances.

The talent contest welcomes every kind of skill, from singing and dancing “to unique and extraordinary abilities.” The top prize is $1,000. To participate, fill out an application by April 20.

Performances at the KORUS Festival will feature traditional dances from Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, and China, as well as Korea.

There will be cultural experiences throughout the festival, including Korean traditional games like those featured on “Squid Game” (with prizes for the winners), Korean origami, and much more.

The artist collective NOVA Arts will host an art gallery and do live portrait drawings and face painting.

Other KORUS activities include a character contest, a job fair, and a singing contest for seniors.

KORUS Sponsors include Patient First, McDonald’s, the East Gate Shopping Center, K Market, Café V, and the Overseas Korean Agency.