2023 Sakura Matsuri Event: The Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival (Showcases the Beauty of Japanese Culture)NEW

Come join the festivities at the Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival Event or Sakura Matsuri, on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center (2007 Cherry Street). Hosted by the City of Ferndale, this event has the distinction of being the only city north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, B.C. to offer a Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sakura Matsuri is a free event for all ages with an emphasis on children that showcases the beauty of Japanese culture through arts and entertainment. Free Japanese refreshments will be served.

Educational and experiential activities will be offered throughout the festival including but not limited to origami (paper folding), ikebana (flower arranging), Paranku Eise drum making, and sumi-e (ink painting) classes.

Delight in Japanese shakuhachi music, the Cascadia Elementary Music Class, haiku poetry, furoshiki {cloth wrapping techniques}, and a kimono demonstration.

Lynn Miyauchi, Senior Specialist for Cultural Affairs at the General Consulate of Japan in Seattle, will present a fascinating samurai armor lecture and demonstration.

River Ridge High School Taiko Band from Lacey, WA, the only public high school Taiko band in the State of Washington, will perform heart pounding rhythmic beats sure to generate great excitement.

Take a scenic walk along Hanadori Trail, located behind the Phillips 66 baseball fields, to enjoy stunning Japanese cherry blossom trees hopefully in bud or bloom.

Fabulous free door prizes will be drawn at 3:30 p.m. You do not need to be present to win. Masks are recommended but not required. Free parking is available.

またね (See you there!)

For questions, please contact Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org for more details.

Event Schedule
09:45-10:00 Doors open, Shakuhachi Instrumentalist
10:00-10:15 Welcome, Haiku Reading
10:15-10:35 Cascadia Elementary Music Class Performance
10:35-11:20 River Ridge High School Taiko Band Performance
11:20-12:00 Sumi-e Painting Class for Children
11:20-12:00 Samurai Armor Demonstration
12:00-12:30 Paranku Eise Drum Making Class for Children
12:35-01:05 Furoshiki Cloth Wrapping Techniques Class
01:00-01:55 Kimono Demonstration
01:00-01:45 Ikebana Flower Arranging Class for Children
02:00-02:45 Samurai Armor Demonstration
02:45-03:30 Chirige-e Art Paper Class
03:30-03:45 Dancing with Paranku Eise Drums
03:45-04:00 Door Prize Winners Announced

On Going Children Activities Offered Throughout the Day
Samurai Helmet and Sakura Flower Origami Making
Haiku Poetry
Ferndale Library Pop-Up Activities
Taiko Drums Mini Clinics, Under Tent Outdoors
Activity Tables for Children
Hanadori Trail Nature Walk, Located Behind Baseball Fields

Festival Date
March 18, 2023 - Saturday

Time
10 am - 4 pm

Location
Pioneer Pavilion Community Center, 2007 Cherry St, Ferndale, WA 98248

Event Festival Title
2023 Sakura Matsuri Event: The Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival (Showcases the Beauty of Japanese Culture)