2023 Ferndale Cherry Blossom Festival

Come join the festivities at the Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival 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.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

9:45-10:00                 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

12:00-1:00                  Furoshiki Cloth Wrapping Techniques Class

1:00-1:55                     Kimono Demonstration

1:00-1:45                     Ikebana Flower Arranging Class for Children

2:10-2:45                    Samurai Armor Demonstration

2:45-3:30                     Chigiri-e Art Paper Class

3:30-3:45                     Dancing with Paranku Eise Drums

3:45-4:00                     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

Shodo Japanese Ink Calligraphy

Chado “Way of Tea” Display

Taiko Drums Mini Clinics, Under Tent Outdoors

Activity Tables for Children

Hanadori Trail Nature Walk, Located Behind Baseball Fields

SPONSORS:

Buck and Beth Buckland
Ferndale Sister City Association
Ron Avneri – Sea of Trees Japan
The Massey Family
Jack and Myly Fong
Fred and Trudie Goodman
Steve and Marla Morrow