The bright purple yam originating from the Philippines seems to be everywhere these days.
"You find it in drinks, you find it in desserts," Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Lynda P. Johnson said. "Starbucks has an ube drink, many of these boba places have an ube drink."
Now, for the second year in a row, it's headlining its own festival, too.
The Los Angeles County UbeFest will return to Cerritos next week.
"This is two days, a fun, family-friendly food event," said Ellen Rodriguez-Swing, co-organizer of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos.
The festival will run on Saturday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Admission and parking are free.
"There's so many ways that you can serve ube, but then the other vendors, they have put twists on the ube itself," Rodriguez-Swing said.
After the inaugural celebration drew more than 50,000 visitors, organizers said they're pulling out all the stops for a community event unlike any other.
In addition to more than 150 vendors, this year's festival has been expanded to include a festival stage.
Ted Benito, who produces Carson's Philippine Independence Day Celebration, has been tapped this year to bring in some big entertainment.
"A lot of local talent, but a lot of it is also national talent," Benito said, adding there will be some surprise announcements soon.
Born out of a pop-up stop in Cerritos with about 10 vendors and 100 attendees, Johnson said the festival draws crowds from as far as Palm Springs and San Diego.
"UbeFest really is a celebration," Johnson said, "It's not just about serving ube, but the popular street food, merchandise that are unique, from folks selling these crafts. It's a cultural experience."
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is at 18000 Park Plaza Dr., in Cerritos.
For more information, visit UbeFest on Instagram.
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