The 3rd annual Cherry Blossom Festival is taking place next month, raising funds for the Huntington Beach Sister City Association.
While the festival is celebrating a sign of spring, it is also honoring Huntington Beach's sister city of Anjo, Japan, so there are set to be lots of activities and demonstrations related to Japanese culture. These includes dance performances such as the ‘Dance of the 1,000 Cranes’, Taiko drummers, arts and crafts, martial arts displays, and games for the children.
The Orange County Bonsai Society will be showcasing some of the creations from its members, while vendors will be selling a variety of Japanese foods. There will also be Japan-related merchant vendors offering items suitable for gifts or home decoration. Visitors can also purchase raffle tickets for prizes.
Huntington Beach and Anjo have been sister cities since 1992. The aim is to foster understanding between the two cultures. One aspect is hosting four exchange students and their chaperone each year while sending four students to Japan for two weeks. The program is funded by donations.
The Cherry Blossom Festival will be held at the Huntington Central Park on March 20 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission is free. Contact Maureen Anzivinio at 714-615-7774 to learn more about the event, or about the Huntington Beach Sister City Association.
