The Breathtaking Beauty of Echo Park’s Lotus Blossom Festival

Star ForemanCulture

The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).Dancers at the 37th annual Echo Park Lotus Blossom FestivalThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).Dancers at the 37th annual Echo Park Lotus Blossom FestivalThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).Dancer at the 37th annual Echo Park Lotus Blossom FestivalThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The Dragon Boat races are thought to have started the year China was the host country for the Lotus Blossom Festival.The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).Dancer at the 37th annual Echo Park Lotus Blossom FestivalThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The beautiful women of the Japanese Tea Ceremony at the 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).The 37th annual Lotus Blossom Festival in Echo ParkThe lotus bed at Echo Park is the largest in the continental Western United States (there are a few larger beds in Hawaii).

In the summer of 1975, Echo Park hosted the first Lotus Blossom Festival, a celebration of its namesake flowers and of Asian culture. Each year a different Asian culture is showcased, and this year — the fest's 37th — Bangladesh was the host country. Bangladeshi dancers and musicians performed while attendees noshed on food from the Asian food court. But, as always, the flowers were the stars. Echo Park is home to the largest lotus bed in the Western United States and this year's bloom was the showiest in years.

All photos by Star Foreman.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.