2014 Monterey Peninsula Buddhist 68th Annual Temple Obon Festival (Sunday Only) [Confirmed]Newly Listed

Picture credit to Cole Thompson.

The Buddhist Temple of the Monterey Peninsula hosts the annual Obon Festival. Featured at the Festival are Japanese foods, entertainment, ikebana and bonsai exhibits, games for children, and Japanese goods and crafts for sale.  Food choices include tempura prepared by chefs from local Japanese restaurants, sushi, beef teriyaki, udon, kushi katsu (fried pork), gyoza, kuri manju (pastry with sweet lima bean filling), and shaved ice.  Day-long entertainment features martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremony, Japanese dancers, and Taiko drumming. 

In the evening, the colorful Obon Odori, or community Japanese folk dancing, takes place. The day wraps up with a raffle drawing and a grand prize. The Obon Festival is a free event, donations accepted.  Parking is available across the street from the Temple. 

Scheduled
Shinsho Mugen Daiko of Monterey (Taiko) will perform during the opening ceremonies at noon and at 4:30pm. 

New
Gluten-free okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) and gluten-free salad dressings will be offered this year.

Date
July 13, 2014 - Sunday Only

Time
12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Obon Odori Dance
6:00 pm - Start

Schedule of Events
http://montereybuddhist.org/

Obon Dance Practice Schedule
7:00 pm - 8:00pm at the Temple Social Hall
Tuesdays and Thursdays in June 3 & 5; 10 & 12; 17 & 19; 24 & 26

2014 marks the 68th year of the Obon Festival on the Monterey Peninsula. The Obon festival is a Buddhist tradition to celebrate, remember and express gratitude to all family members who have died.  The Obon festival has been celebrated in Japan since 657 AD.  The first Obon in the United States was held in Hawaii in 1910; festivals on the mainland began about 20 years later. 

The first Monterey Obon Festival was held on August 25, 1947 at the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Hall in Monterey, home to the Temple then. In 1963, the event was moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds where it was held for 30 years.  The Obon Festival returned to the Temple, now in Seaside, in 1993.  3,000 to 5,000 people from across the Monterey Peninsula and beyond attend each year.

Want to Volunteer for the Obon Festival
Contact Kristen Yamamoto at obonfest@gmail.com or call (831) 394-0119.

Title
Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple Obon Festival (Sun only)

Locaction
Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside, CA 93955

Japanese Obon Festival & Bon Odori Schedule
http://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/p/obon-and-practice.php

[Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change]