Rockville: The annual Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival was held in Rockville, Maryland, on Saturday, celebrating Taiwanese culture through the island's iconic beverage.

According to Focus Taiwan, the organizers, Taiwan Sister Cities (TSC) and the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, provided visitors the opportunity to sample Taiwanese specialties and enjoy themed performances at the festival.

In addition to bubble tea, the eighth edition of the celebration featured minced pork rice and gua bao buns, as well as Taiwanese songs and dance. The event was attended by officials from Taiwan and the United States, including Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Alexander Yui, his deputy Yang Yi-shan, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Washington Office Managing Director Ingrid Larson, and Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton.

Speaking at the festival, Ashton emphasized the shared values of democracy, inclusivity, and cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. She noted that Taiwan's iconic beverage is now commonplace in her city, suggesting that if bubble tea can be so easily accepted, then so can love, acceptance, and partnerships.

Speaking with CNA, TSC Director Minze Chien shared that the weather Saturday was the best the festival had experienced since its inception, drawing 18,000 visitors to its 43 booths that showcased not only Taiwan but also Hong Kong and Ukraine. The favorable weather was a stark contrast to a previous year when heavy rain limited attendance to just 3,000 people.

Chien noted that 22 of the stalls were dedicated to food and beverages, with five, including Taiwan's popular bubble tea brand 50 Lan, specifically selling bubble tea. According to Chien, the bubble tea festival is the largest of its kind in the U.S., featuring not just food and drinks but also singing and dancing.