If baseball is our country’s national pastime, Taiwan is a close second.
To celebrate this, the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix has teamed with the Arizona Diamondbacks to celebrate the sport for the Taiwanese Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 8. The 5:10 p.m. game is against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The early evening event recognizes Taiwan’s rich culture and traditions, as well as the strong and growing connection between the country and Arizona. At least two cities in the state have Taiwan sister cities: Phoenix and Taipei, and Chandler and Tainan.
On Saturday, experiences include cultural performances, community organizations and exclusive fan experiences throughout the evening.
Win Huang, president of the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix, said she was unsure about hosting the event when it began three years ago.
“We didn’t know what would happen,” she said. “We didn’t know how many people would show up.”
They found out quickly.
DEEPER DIVE: TSMC Arizona’s thoughtful plan for managing water use
LEARN MORE: TSMC Arizona preparing workers for a chips future
The chamber’s initial 500-ticket package sold out in one day in 2024. By year two, attendance doubled.
This year, fans who purchased the special event ticket pack receive an exclusive co-branded Diamondbacks Taiwanese Heritage jersey. All 1,600 jerseys sold out a month in advance. Even Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company employees, many newly arrived in Arizona, learned about the event too late to secure one.
“We totally underestimated how much people love baseball,” Huang said. “For Taiwanese people, baseball is everything.”
Saturday’s program is built around one of Taiwan’s most cherished traditions: a Hakka dance performance to “The Heavenly Rain.” The choreography blends folk gestures — tea‑picking, the falling tong flower known as “May snow” — with modern tempo and even a touch of rap. The lead dancer, a Taiwanese American “princess,” represents the Hakka community, one of Taiwan’s major ethnic groups.
“It’s traditional music with a modern twist,” Huang said. “People from Taiwan will recognize it right away.”
Fans will also be greeted by Taiwan’s iconic Electric Princes, the towering puppet figures that became instant celebrities last year. The chamber borrowed the elaborate costume from Los Angeles, and a local high schooler — half Taiwanese, half American — operated the puppet.
“He thought he’d be shy,” Huang said. “But people kept coming up to him asking, ‘Are you from Taiwan?’ He couldn’t say a word because he was under this giant costume. By the end of the night, he was so happy.”
He’s returning this year, now with a new costume.
This year’s celebration also marks a moment of diplomatic significance. In one of his first major public appearances since assuming the role, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix Director General Kevin Chiao will throw the ceremonial first pitch alongside China Airlines North America Vice President Darren Hua.
China Airlines is once again the presenting sponsor for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to Arizona’s rapidly growing Taiwanese community, thanks to TSMC and its suppliers.
“Phoenix is on the forefront of Taiwan’s media all the time because of TSMC,” Huang said. “But those are the big stories. Taiwan Night is about the people who are actually trying to make Phoenix a new home.”
Throughout the game, fans can explore cultural displays and interactive activities in La Terraza, hosted by: Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix, China Airlines, Chinese Linguistic School, NAKEA, Taiwanese American Association of Arizona and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
Huang considers the event somewhat of a reunion. Huang has run into childhood friends she hadn’t seen in decades. Strangers recognize each other instantly by the jerseys.
“The moment you see all these attendees wearing the jersey, you might meet new friends,” she said. “These are the things that touch our hearts and make us want to contribute to the success of the event.”
For many of the Valley’s newest residents, Taiwan Night is a chance to feel seen. They hear familiar music, watch a dance they grew up with and raise a meaningful flag.
“It means a lot for Taiwanese Americans and for the new incoming attendees from Taiwan,” Huang said. “We have the opportunity to showcase our culture, our heritage — and more than anything else, we have the opportunity to raise our flag.”
