Fiesta in America 2025: Celebrating Filipino Culture Through Children’s Creativity

Every August, the Filipino-American community comes together for a celebration that feels less like an event and more like a homecoming.

Since 2022, UNIFFIED NJ has been honored to collaborate with Fiesta in America, led by CEO and President Fernando Mendez, in hosting what has become the largest Filipino-American indoor gathering in the United States. Held at the iconic American Dream Mall, the festival draws more than 13,000 attendees and over 120,000 in foot traffic, creating a vibrant space where culture, community, and creativity meet

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This year’s Fiesta in America took place on August 16, 2025, and UNIFFIED NJ was proud to lead one of the most joyful parts of the celebration: children’s arts and crafts.

A Space for Expression, Culture, and Family

Throughout the day, children and families gathered at UNIFFIED NJ’s activity area to participate in hands-on creative sessions, poster-making contests, origami, puppet making, painting, and more. Each activity was thoughtfully designed to gently weave Filipino culture into the experience, allowing young participants to express their feelings, ideas, and imagination through art.

What made the moment special wasn’t just the crafts themselves, but the shared experience. Parents and grandparents sat beside their children, encouraging them, laughing with them, and watching their creativity unfold. It became a space where generations connected not through speeches or performances, but through simple acts of making something together.

Small Moments, Lasting Impact

At the end of the event, children proudly showcased their artwork to their families and peers. Each piece told a story of heritage, imagination, and confidence. To recognize their participation and effort, children received medals and goodie bags, small tokens that carried big smiles and even bigger memories.

Seeing Filipino families gathered in one place, creating, learning, and celebrating together was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. These moments help nurture cultural pride at an early age and strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

UNIFFIED NJ is deeply grateful to Fiesta in America, its leadership, vendors, exhibitors, volunteers, and especially the families who made the day meaningful. Events like this remind us that preserving culture doesn’t always require grand gestures, sometimes, it starts with crayons, paper, and a child’s imagination.

We look forward to continuing this partnership and creating more spaces where Filipino culture, creativity, and community can thrive together.