As David Chang’s kids Brienna, 8, and Ian, 5, busied themselves creating art, the Brookline dad had more pressing issues on his mind – namely, when he’d be able to satisfy his craving for the classic Taiwanese street food that translates to “Small sausage in a large sausage.”
Chang and hundreds of others at the Newton Taiwan Day celebration on May 2 enjoyed crafts, games, entertainment and plenty of food (including the pork sausage stuffed into a rice sausage) during the free event, which took place outside the Hyde Community Center.
The celebration, marking its 18th anniversary, was organized by the Newton Taiwan Day Committee and the Hyde Community Center in partnership with the Culture Center of TECO in Boston. TECO in Boston is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office-Boston, which serves as Taiwan’s de facto consulate for much of New England and is located at the Hyde.
Flag bearers at the welcoming ceremony for Newton Taiwan Day (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
A group from the Chinese Folk Art Workshop performed on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Tara Liu, a member of the Chinese Folk Art Workshop, performed on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
A drumming group from the Chinese Folk Art Workshop performed on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
A martial arts group from the Chinese Folk Art Workshop performed on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
A performer amazed the crowd with his “diabolo” (yo-yo) on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Entertainment ranged from traditional drumming and martial arts to intricate fan dances and the crowd-pleasing Lion Dance performed by members of the Kwong Kow Chinese School. The lions not only interacted with the crowds; they also offered up oranges to the VIPs, including Mayor Marc Laredo, standing on stage.
Members of the Kwong Kow Chinese School performed a Lion Dance at Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of the Lion Dance group of the Kwong Kow Chinese School greeted children at Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of the Kwong Kow Chinese School performed a Lion Dance at Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of the Kwong Kow Chinese School performed a Lion Dance at Newton Taiwan Day, and Mayor Marc Laredo greeted one of the lions. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
While some watched the acts, other attendees wove their way through the crowd to check out the numerous organizations at each booth – and to join long lines at the booths of several popular food vendors.
Members of one nonprofit, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, sold vegetarian food and demonstrated an abridged Buddha Bathing ceremony for those interested in learning more about the ritual.
A few other booths put the Formosan or Taiwanese black bear in the spotlight, with adorable, hand-made pocketbooks shaped like the animal or even balloons twisted to mimic its form.
Daisy, 8, and Miko, 6, were delighted with their new balloon animals made on Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Evy Lai of Boston sold her handmade goods during Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Lieb, 4; Brienna, 8; and Ian, 5, all of Brookline, had fun doing a craft during Newton Taiwan Day. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
After receiving their balloon sculptures, attendees Daisy, 8, and Miko, 6, confirmed that with all the food, crafts and freebies, the day was a success and quite fun.
