Cherry Blossom Festival
 

Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival

Sunday, March 20, 2016, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Held at Central Park Amphitheater, 7111 Talbert Ave.

Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival
Free admission
hbjapanesefestival.com

Entertainment includes Taiko Drummers Daion Taiko & Kokoro Taiko -kai. Japanese Classical Dance is performed, Kabuki, Karate, Koto, Hula and Music. In honor of the Sister City program with Anjo, Japan, this Huntington Beach Japanese cultural festival offers free family fun. Huntington Beach High School junior Natalie Anzivino came up with the idea for a festival after she served as a student ambassador. She met with the local Sister City Association volunteers and asked for their help in contacting performers and other Japanese cultural demonstrators. Held in Huntington Central Park among the beautiful cherry blossom trees, a gift to Huntington Beach from Anjo, expect sounds, sights and event tastes. Will Original Ramen Burger be on site like last year? Maybe! The past event included Samurai Sushi burritos, okonomiyaki Japanese pancakes and Hula Girl shaved ice and fresh mochi for dessert.

Japanese Dance, Music, Martial Arts performance, Japanese food stands, Display various Japanese cultural arts, Free Art craft booth for kids, Game booth Admission Free Free Parking

 

Location: Central Park behind Library
7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA

Cherry Cherry Blossom Festival at Central Park is expected to attract nearly 5,000 participants as excitement builds for the third annual event featuring  Japanese food, performances and cultural exhibits to coincide with the blooming of the cherry blossom tree grove in Central Park.

Maureen and Natalie Anzivino came up with the idea for the festival with proceeds benefitting HB's exchange program with Anjo, Japan, part of the Sister City program. 

Ramen Burger, Samurai Burrito, Gaja Okonomiyaki, Sakurai Japanese Grill, Meiji Japanese Restaurant and Oki Doki Izakaya Cuisine food vendors serve up delicious cuisine, a retreat for many from the March 17 Corned Beef & Cabbage seasonal St. Patrick's Day offering the Irish are known to eat.  brochure.

Huntington Beach Sister City Association was formed in 1982 to foster international friendships through educational and cultural activities. The student exchange program began in 1983. 

A featured performance, "Thousand Paper Cranes," pays homage to the victims of Hiroshima. 

Huntington Beach's Historic Wintersburg is a 19th century Japanese settlement preserved as a designated national treasure.