49th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival (June 17-18, 2023)

On June 17 and 18, the 49th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, co-sponsored by the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and the Sakura Foundation, was held at Sakura Square in Denver.

Stacey Shigaya, Executive Director of the Sakura Foundation, presided over the opening ceremony. Ms. Shigaya, along with Mr. Chad Nitta, Board President of the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, gave remarks. Ms. Shigaya aslo presented commemorative gifts to Gary Yamashita, Executive Advisor of Sakura Square LLC and Sakura Foundation (recipient of the 2023 Commendation of the Consul-General of Japan in Denver), and Joe Ozaki, Board President of Sakura Foundation, in recognition of their years of service. The Consulate was invited and Consul-General Mikami gave short remarks.

On the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival, a portion of Larimer Street facing Sakura Square accommodate dozens of booths set up by the Sakura Foundation, Simpson United Methodist Church, Denver-Takayama Sister City Committee, Japan America Society of Colorado, JETAA, Japanese sake and beverages, Japanese anime-related booths, and many more. Many citizens visited the festival. In addition, the hall of the Tri-State/ Denver Buddhist Temple opened to visitors, where box lunches and sake were sold in the gymnasium, ikebana displays were held in the underground parking lot, and a special stage featured Japanese drums performances, dancing, and a karaoke contest. On the second floor of Sakura Square, the Colorado Nikkeijinkai displayed a photo panel exhibition of the history of the Nikkeijin in Colorado.