American Hero Cup International Music and Arts Festival Finals 400 people compete

On October 19, the finals of the 2024 U.S. “Hero Cup” International Music and Arts Festival took place in Rowland Heights, drawing around 400 participants. The competition showcased a variety of talents, including piano, painting, vocal performance, and dance.

Eileen Wang, a city council member of Arcadia and the chair of the festival, explained that the event first launched successfully in 2000, uniting artists and community members from 18 countries online. The proceeds from that initial event were used to purchase medical supplies for organizations such as the Los Angeles County Police Department, to support their community contributions, hence the name “Hero Cup.”

This year’s competition welcomed participants of all ages, starting from four years old and up. Winners of the first and second prizes will have the opportunity to perform on the prestigious stage of the 2025 “Global Spring Festival” Chinese New Year Gala in the U.S. Wang noted that the day attracted a diverse crowd, with many children and parents traveling from Orange County to participate. The venue was adorned with the children’s artwork, each piece illustrating their vision of what a “hero” means to them.

Among the attendees were several elected officials, including U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, representatives from Mike Fong’s office, and members of local government. These officials presented certificates of recognition to the event organizers.

Tony Ding, a city council member from San Gabriel, remarked that everyone present at the event was a “hero.” He emphasized how well the participants embodied this concept, reflecting a beautiful blend of Chinese and American cultures.