2013 - 29th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival - Memorial Park, CupertinoNEW

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of Japanese culture, with traditional exhibitions, entertainment and food.

The city would like to invite everyone to the 29th annual Cherry Blossom Festival honoring Cupertino's sister city relationship with Toyokawa, Japan

Date
April 27 - 28, 2013

The festival offers a wide selection of Japanese food and beverages, entertainment, demonstrations, cultural exhibits, art, crafts and clothing for sale.  A special children's section will feature activities, hands-on arts & crafts, and a petting zoo.

During the festival, a series of indoor cultural displays and demonstrations will be featured in the Cupertino Community Center.  Other cultural exhibits and demonstrations include Bonsai (miniature trees/plants), various Japanese dolls and doll making demonstrations, ikebana (flower arranging), Suiseki (Japanese rocks), origami (paper folding), shodo (calligraphy),  Japanese swords, and sumi-e (brush painting).

Outdoor displays near the Quinlan center will include a "Kidz Zone" with games, a petting zoo, koi fish, and Akita and Shiba Inu dogs will be shown on the lawn behind the food court.

All-day outdoor entertainment takes place in the park amphitheater.  Among the scheduled events are Taiko groups, Japanese dancers, various martial arts, children and adult musical performances.

Food and drink offerings will include gyoza (meat in Japanese pastry), chicken salad, tempura, yakisoba, mochi, teriyaki hot dogs, fruit-on-a-stick, teriyaki chicken with rice in a bowl, shave ice, coffee, smoothies, beer, sake, plum wine, sodas, bottled water and lemonade.

Craft booths throughout the park will offer a wide variety of items for sale, including cards, paper sculptures, pottery, jewelry, washi eggs and dolls, Japanese antiques, clothing, paintings, candles, photos, woodwork and T-shirts.

The 200 cherry trees and the two traditional lanterns at the park were gifts to the City of Cupertino from Toyokawa.  As this year marks the 100 year commemoration of the Japan's gift of cherry trees to Washington D.C., there will be a special ceremony on Saturday at 1PM. The Consulate General of Japan will present an additional cherry tree to the city of Cupertino.

The festival benefits the nonprofit Cupertino Sister City Committee, which promotes friendship and conducts an annual student exchange program with Toyokawa, Japan.  Local nonprofit organizations that support services for disadvantaged, youth sports, student service groups, music and language programs will have booths with a variety of activities.

Parking is available at nearby De Anza College.  Purchase a one-day parking permit for $3.00 from machines in the lot.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister City Program at (408)-827-8336 or email info@cupertinotoyokawa.org.