Skip to Content
Hawk in Echo Park

Muevelo! Muevelo! Ven Pa' ca!

Upon walking into the 29th Lotus Festival in Echo Park, you can see old Asian women with umbrellas from JON’s, even though it is a sunny 90 degrees outside. Then there are young women, new residents to the area, snapping up Japanese umbrellas from the hundreds of booths selling Asian and Latino products. When in Rome….

The two-day festival which takes place at Echo Park Lake is meant to celebrate the different cultures that represent the 90026. This year’s theme was the Phillipines. And in fact, California is home to over 1.5 million Filipino immigrants, 600,000 of which can be found in Los Angeles. With booths selling products from the popular telenovela Rebelde next to booths selling Buddhas reclining in sandalwood, even a booth to help with “el curso de income tax,” performances by Filipino hip-hop groups with Aikido demonstrations, it is clear that this neighborhood has successfully and seamlessly integrated Asian and Latin cultures within an American paradigm.

Lotus in Echo Park
Lotus in Echo Park
Lotus in Echo Park
Echo Park Lotus Fest
Holding hands
Lotus Shopping
Fans
Lotus Crowd
Lotus Crowd

In fact, the only source of contention among residents seems to stem from the wave of gentrification that has come over the area since around 2000. According to one Phillipino-American resident (OSCAR BAUTISTA) the influx of artists and yuppies into the area has created a housing market that has forced many long-term residents to move out. Additionally, he thinks that unlike past new residents, these artists and yuppies are not making an effort to blend into the existing community. But, he acknowledged, “they’ll leave; this neighborhood was made for color.”

Although July is when the lotus blooms and Echo Park Lake houses the largest lotus bed in the United States, many were remarking about the dearth of actual lotuses. And many were simultaneously remarking about how much hotter it was this year compared to past festivals. But no one mentioned global warming.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Tens of Thousands of Angelenos Flock to L.A.’s Flower District for a Valentine’s Day Flower Free-For-All

Tens of thousands made their way to the city's wholesale flower capital, jamming the streets and sidewalks with countless flowers and people. L.A. TACO'S contributing photographer Kemal Cilengir was there to capture it all, including street vendors getting fined and the dystopian-like flower free-for-all being had by lovestruck customers and hustling vendors eager to offload their prized plants.

February 14, 2025

This Weekend: A New Bar-Setting Indian Restaurant, Duck Laab Pizza, and a Filipino Breakfast Diner Pop-Up

The founder of World Central Kitchen has Tequila-laced queso fundido and Tequila-laced Oaxacan chocolate cookies for you, while the Fairfax Farmer's Market is now serving Polish eats.

February 14, 2025

Self-Defense Against ICE: Community Groups In L.A. Are Uniting to Protect Themselves

More than 50 organizations have joined the call to join this coalition, making it one of Southern California's largest immigrant rights coalitions. The group aims to extend from the San Fernando Valley to the U.S./Mexico border. The coalition is organizing training sessions to prepare its members for community tactics to defend their neighbors from ICE raids and deportations. Their first mass protest is taking place on Monday.

February 13, 2025

Tacos Before Vatos: 13 Tacos In L.A. That Will Make You Forget About Him

For L.A. TACO, love is always in the air, and it smells like charcoal burning on a sunny day under carne asada and tortillas hot off the comal, with vibrant salsas, caramelized onions, and thick guacamole. Forget him, and spend time with things that matter in life: tacos, forever. 

February 13, 2025

Unmatched Hustle: Immigrant from Michoacán’s Tierra Caliente Creates Innovative Tortillería on Wheels…In Bakersfield

Many come and buy pounds and pounds to share with their family members as soon as they taste a warm “taco de sal,” a tortilla sprinkled simply with salt and rolled up like a thin flauta. It’s common to eat tacos de sal while waiting in line at a tortillería in Mexico, but not so much in the U.S. 

February 12, 2025
See all posts