Philippines dish the star of 2024 BC Dumpling Fest in Coquitlam

A dessert filled with purple yam is the star of this year’s BC Dumpling Festival in Coquitlam.

The ube siopao (pronounced sho-POW) is a new sweet twist on the traditional Filipino steamed bun and is one of the featured characters for the multicultural festival, along with jiaozi (Chinese); samosa (Indian); gyoza (Japanese); mandu (Korean); and pierogi (Polish).

On Saturday, Aug. 10, Town Centre Park will be filled with dumpling and other food vendors to celebrate the Philippines as a way to connect the community through food and fun.

Organized by the Asian Arts and Culture Society, the festival that’s now in its third year and aims to bring cultural awareness and pride.

President Gina Chong, a Port Moody resident who launched the society and fest following a racist tirade at Town Centre Park in 2021, told the Tri-City News that this year’s gathering is bigger with 17 dumpling trucks and 19 food trucks on Trevor Wingrove Way and in Lot D.

And among those selling fare will be Mr. Siopao de Langley who will serve the ube treat.

Also on sale will be the society’s latest children’s book Not Now, Siopao, the third tale penned and illustrated by Port Coquitlam writer and graphic designer Kirstin Hepburn. Her two other books, The Lost Dumpling and Be You, Mandu, will be available at the swag tent.

Chong said her team and about 200 volunteers have a full day lined up for visitors at the festivities, which run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and put the spotlight on the Philippines.

At 11:30 a.m., after speeches, attendees can watch Mayor Richard Stewart and Couns. Matt Djonlic, Trish Mandewo and Robert Mazzarolo, plus Alice Shmyk of Marcon (the title sponsor) and Carson Loh of RBC (the platinum sponsor), in the dumpling eating contest.

Besides the entertainment on the main stage, there will be community vendors, a Filipino pavilion with consul general Arlene T. Magno and an art zone with the mural artists Claire Ouchi and Rachel Rivera of WKNDRS painting on one side of an 8’ by 8’ canvas; on the other side, attendees can scan a QR code to seen an augmented reality of dumplings.

As well, RBC will set up a Chill Lounge while bouncy castles will be ready in the Kids Zone.

Chong said she’s expecting up to 40,000 people at the park and has even heard from families as far away as the Midwest USA who plan to travel to Coquitlam for the feast.

Eric Kalnins, Coquitlam’s manager of economic development, told the Tri-City News that the party “has grown to become one of Coquitlam’s most beloved and well-attended community-led events.”

He added, “The BC Dumpling Festival welcomes local residents as well as thousands of visitors from throughout Metro Vancouver, many of whom are visiting Coquitlam for the first time. With the beautiful setting of Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park and a backdrop of Pinecone–Burke Provincial Park and Eagle Mountain, it is sure to be a spectacular event.”

Festival details

Entry to the BC Dumpling Festival is free.

The community event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Leashed pets are permitted.

To get to Town Centre Park, walk, bike, take public transit or hop on SkyTrain to the Lafarge Lake–Douglas station. Parking around the park and on Pinetree Way is limited; as well, part of Trevor Wingrove Way will be closed for the food trucks.

To volunteer or sponsor the fest or book, visit the Asian Arts and Culture Society website.