St. Andrew Dung-Lac festival celebrates Vietnamese culture

LANSING – Ron and Becky Thayer don't look even remotely Asian. For that matter, they aren't even Catholic.

Yet, the Lansing couple were present and accounted for — along with friend Michele Ramon — when the Vietnamese Catholic parish of St. Andrew Dung-Lac kicked off its eighth annual festival on Lansing's west side. They usually don't miss the festival.

"We've gotten so we know half of the people here," said Ron Thayer, a Vietnam War veteran who learned about the festival years ago from a Vietnamese neighbor on the city's southeast side.

The festival is a chance for the Vietnamese community to get together and celebrate their culture. It's also a gathering for the community as a whole.

"This is the time we get together to have fun and share the whole year's experiences," said Phillipe Nguyen, a parishioner who helps organize the festival.

The first night of the festival features American music and draws many neighborhood residents and former members of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Nguyen said. The Vietnamese church moved into the old Holy Cross campus in 2011.

Saturday and Sunday are more devoted to Vietnamese music and dancing, Nguyen said.

The festival draws several thousand people each year, including members of the Vietnamese community in other parts of the state.

Mary Ann Cao, a member of the church and festival volunteer, has been helping with the set-up over the past couple weeks. And she's been busy preparing cuisine for the festival. Cao is owner of Asia's Finest in Lansing.

Cao says there are many people involved in getting ready for the event, and they start two or three weeks ahead.

"I've been helping out since 2008," Cao said. "I do it for fun."

The Lansing Brothers Band will play Vietnamese music Sunday morning.

There's a beer tent, children's games, live music and dancing. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

There is no charge to get into the festival.

Raffle tickets are $5 each for the opportunity to win cash prizes of $1,000, $500 or $200.

Tickets are available in the parish office or at the festival.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac festival

•The festival takes place on the church grounds at 1611 W. Oakland Ave., the site of the former Holy Cross Church.

•Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.