The Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce is established by Dr, Ki-Hyun Chun, Founding President.

The first Asian Festival is held on Saturday, May 6 at Marshall Park, organized by Dr. Ki-Hyun and Dr. Sunny Chun, Attorney Lena Chun, Linda Yu, and Andrea Lee, to connect the Asian community and promote Asian businesses.

Dr. Nini Bautista, Vice President of the CAACC and Chair of the Asian Festival, founds the “Ms Asia Festival” to engage young, accomplished, talented Asian Americans.

The Charlotte Asian Festival moves from Marshall Park to the Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) Atrium with a broadening fundraising scope.

CAACC proposes its top three community-building initiatives to Crossroads Charlotte and receives strong endorsement to launch the Dragon Boat event. A Canadian national team coach is retained to advise the planning team. Ramsey Creek Park is identified as the best event site.   

The Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival is launched at Ramsey Creek Park, Cornelius, NC in conjunction with the relocated Charlotte Asian Festival.

CAACC Board approves the formation of the Charlotte Dragon Boat Association (CDBA) to continue its effort to grow the popular team-based cross-cultural activity throughout the Carolinas.

The month of May is settled on as the annual date of the Charlotte Asian & Dragon Boat Festivals, in order to celebrate National Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

The “Ms Asian Festival” competition is expanded to “Ms Asia Carolinas”—expanding the age requirement to include younger and older candidates and representatives.

Dr. Nini Bautista founds the “Asian Music & Dance Fest” for Asian Americans of all ages. The first winner is Evan Xie, a 9-year-old piano virtuoso, who also performs his winning Bach concert at a red carpet event in Hollywood as part of his prize.

CAACC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Charlotte Asian Festival on Saturday, May 18.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, organizers postpone the 2020 Charlotte Asian & Dragon Boat Festivals to ensure public safety.

After being postponed twice by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Asian & Dragon Boat Festivals return to Ramsey Creek Park on Saturday, October 23.

In order to engage youth in promoting, preserving, and sharing their Asian cultural heritage, Dr. Nini Bautists launches “Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts” as a replacement competition for the “Asian Music & Dance Fest.”

After two consecutive festivals are held in October, the Asian & Dragon Boat Festivals return to May, with the festivals taking place on Saturday, May 13.