As dozens of cherry blossoms bloomed under a clear, warm Saturday sky, hundreds gathered at the Oregon State Capitol for the Cherry Blossom Day Festival, an annual springtime celebration of Japanese culture here in the Pacific Northwest.
Held on the third Saturday of the month, March 16, the Cherry Blossom Day, or “Bloomwatch,” is an official day approved via SB 146 in 2017 by the Oregon Legislature.
The Cherry Blossom Festival began on March 20 and will be held until April 14.
The mall will continue to be open as the peak bloom time for the cherry blossoms is from March 18-26.
On March 16, a large tent on the northern side of the Capitol mall housed dozens of booths featuring arts and crafts, instruments as well as cherry blossom planters.
The Willamette Koto Club came and performed a series of traditional performances done by club members of varying ages.
The event began with the Monmouth Taiko, a Japanese drumming group, a proclamation from officials of the City of Salem, a martial arts demonstration by Toru Tanabe and musical performances from Sama Zama: Masumi Timson, Koto and Joseph Harchanko on Cello, Miwa Holman, Yuko Hong, Nanami Riedel, and a Seika Kyoda musical performance.
The event also hosted a kimono fashion show and Bon Dance.
Contact Quinn Stoddard
[email protected] or 503-390-1051
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