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| Publication Date: Friday, April 20, 2001 Cherry Blossom Festival returns
Cherry Blossom Festival returns
(April 20, 2001)The 18th annual Cherry Blossom Festival honoring Cupertino's sister city, Toyokawa, Japan, will be held at Memorial Park on Stevens Creek Boulevard across from DeAnza College on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A tribute to the Japanese culture, the festival offers South Bay residents the opportunity to sample the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of Japan. It also celebrates the 200 cherry blossom trees and two traditional lanterns that were given to the city of Cupertino by delegates from Toyokawa as symbols of the on-going friendship between the two communities.
There will be a wide selection of Japanese food and beverages offered for sale by nonprofit organizations, including beef teriyaki, chicken teriyaki, udon, yaki soba, gyoza, maki sushi, California roll, tempura, mochi, teriyaki hot dogs, chicken salad, corn, ice cream, fruits, fresh strawberries and green tea.
Entertainment, to be held at the outdoor amphitheater, includes performances by three taiko groups: San Jose Taiko, San Francisco Taiko Dojo, and Kaji Yama Taiko. Children can see the Tops-E-Turvy Bounce Co. and Spin Art Fantasy, do face-painting, arts and crafts, and visit a petting zoo in the play area.
More than 50 arts and crafts booths will have a large variety of items for sale such as pottery, jewelry, clothing, sushi kits, bonsai, maples, glassware, cards, and origami. There will also be demonstrations at the Quinlan Community Center of such arts as ikebana (flower arranging), origami, nihon shishu (traditional Japanese embroidery), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), sumi-e (Japanese brush painting) and martial arts.
The festival benefits the Cupertino Sister City Committee, a nonprofit that promotes student exchange programs between Cupertino and Toyokawa. Admission is free. Parking in the DeAnza College parking lot costs $2; quarters are required for the ticket vending machine.
For more information, please call the festival coordinator, Lucille Honig at (408) 257-7424 or Margaret Abe at (650) 941-9466.
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