Asian American & Pacific Islander Month

Celebrating AAPI Festivals through Light and Movement

Lantern and Mobile Contest for Grades K-8

Let’s celebrate creativity, culture, and community!

Download the AAPI Festival Contest flyer.

How to Participate

Choose a Festival: Pick and AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islander) festival that interests you.
Research: Learn about its traditions, symbols, and meaning.
Create a Lantern, Mobile or Related Artwork: Design a project inspired by the festival.
Write a Short Statement: Explain why you chose the festival, what you learned, and how your design reflects its significance.
Submit Your Project: Bring your completed artwork and statement by May 9, 2025 to the Kettering Government Center or your classroom. Projects will be collected for display during the awards reception. Artwork must be labeled with the student’s name, and guardian’s name, address, telephone number and email. Please include the grade, age, school
and teacher.

Display and Reception

Artwork will be displayed at Rosewood Arts Center from May 9 – May 31. A reception will take place on May 20 at Rosewood from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Artwork Pickup

Artwork may be picked up after the reception or at the Government Center the week of June 2. Unclaimed artwork may be discarded.

Prizes and Recognition

$50 Prize to each Contest Winner: One per grade.
Pizza Party Drawing: Classes with 50%+ participation will be entered into a drawing for a pizza party. The winning teacher will receive $100 for classroom supplies! (More than one winner possible)
School Prize: The school with the highest participation will receive up to $100 for their PTO to support an event.
$50 Rosewood Arts Center Gift Certificate: Will be raffled off to three students during the reception.

Festival Ideas

Lunar New Year (China, Vietnam, Korea): Red lanterns, dragons, zodiac animals.
Diwali (India, Nepal, Fiji): Clay lamps, rangoli, fireworks.
Obon (Japan): Paper lanterns, ancestor spirits, dance.
Vesak (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar): Floating lanterns, lotuses.
Mid-Autumn Festival (China, Vietnam, Malaysia): Mooncakes, paper lanterns, rabbits.
Songkran (Thailand, Laos, Myanmar): Water fights, elephants, traditional dress.
Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year): Peach blossoms, red envelopes, dragon dances.
Bon (Pacific Islander, Hawaii): Lantern floating, hula.
Chuseok (Korea): Rice cakes, moon worship, traditional dress.
Holi (India): Festival of Colors with bright powders and celebration.
Ramadan/ Eid al-Fitr (Central/ Southeast Asia): Lanterns, crescent moon, festive decorations.

Drop Off Artwork

At your classroom OR:

Kettering Government Center South Building
3600 Shroyer Road
Kettering, OH 45429

TEACHERS: Email KBCR@ketteringoh.org if you receive any entries and a BCR member will pick up the items directly from your school.

For Artwork Display, Reception and Pick-up

Rosewood Arts Center
2655 Olson Drive
Kettering, OH 45420

Contact

For more information, email Angela Rahman at KBCR@ketteringoh.org

We are Kettering.
We are Respectful – Learning about different cultures fosters respect for diversity.
We are Responsible – Encourages students to take initiative, explore, and create.
We are Safe – Provides a positive, community-supported activity that strengthens protective factors for youth and increases their resilience in facing life’s challenges.