Featuring exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, children’s activities, bonsai displays, Japanese food, and 3 stages of live entertainment.
This year’s festival’s themes are Sakura and Daruma
Exciting Features of this Year’s Festival:
- Asahi Beer Garden open both Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM ~ 5 PM
- Taiko performance by TAIKOPROJECT from Los Angeles, CA
- Release of Sunny Seki’s new book, Yuko-chan and the Daruma Dolls
- The Tomodachi Fundraising Project: Pendant and Pin sales booth with profits going to Tohoku area’s reconstruction
- Opportunity for kids to make their own daruma
- New sakura decorations
- Three stages (traditional arts, taiko and martial arts)
- Over 40 merchandise vendors
- A dozen food vendors
- Shan Ichiyanagai, the “Candyman”
- Kendama tournament
- Calligraphy and more!
Mikoshi Parade and Opening Ceremony:
The Matsuri Parade will start at 10:10 AM on Saturday, February 25th. Anyone in Japanese attire is invited to participate in our parade! Please begin gathering next to the Plaza Stage at 9:45 AM.
Arizona Matsuri is pleased to welcome Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki to this year’s festivities! Please plan to attend the Opening Ceremony for this year’s Matsuri! The Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 25th at the Plaza Stage. We hope to see you there!
2012 Arizona Matsuri commemorates the centennial of the gifting of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the U.S.
Flowering cherry trees have been symbols of Japan’s friendship to the people of America for 100 years.
In 1912, over 3,000 cherry trees were gifted from the City of Tokyo to the City of Washington, D.C. as a symbol of lasting friendship from the people of Japan. Since that time, Japanese organizations have made gifts of cherry trees to America to commemorate significant milestones in the relationship between Japan and the United States.
For more information about the 2012 Japan – U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial and cherry blossom festivals, visit Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles . Learn more about cherry trees here .
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