Cherry Blossom and Earth Day Festivals

Artist flower arraignments filled one corner of the Barnes Park Gym on April 22nd and 23rd as the Cherry Blossom Festival arrived in Monterey Park.

The guests stopped to view the lovely creations that were one of the many exhibits on display unique to the Japanese culture.

Kimekomi Japanese dolls were proudly displayed dressed in their traditional costumes. Guests always stop to view these historical dolls.

Michael Sanders displayed some of his Origami creations. He also helped the visitors to created their own origami artwork.

The gym also featured Japanese art, Japanese calligraphy and Zen Brush artwork, a formal Japanese Tea Ceremony and stage performances.

The Mark Keppel High School Aztec Singers opened the outside stage event with several performances under the direction of Mr. Azeltine to the delight of their parents, friends and guests.

Bikes from the Earth Day Bike Ride hung up in the park as people walked over the Earth Day exhibits.

Children were learning to choose items that should be recycled by members of WARE Disposal Inc., one of the city’s commercial waste haulers.

Student volunteers helped children create their own Earth Day masks.

This event features several booths to teach people the best reasons to save the planet.

Several ladies were dressed in traditional kimonos as they participated in the day’s events.

Rodney Kageyama welcomed everyone to the beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival held in Monterey Park. This is our 20th year and he thanked all of the committee members, sponsors and the city for this successful event.

Children of all ages learned to make paper flowers as part of the Tanabata Festival celebration.

The young guests with the help of their parents created colorful fans and paper toys. They also requested balloon toys made to order.

Members of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library had a booth. They helped people create their own cherry blossom trees using India ink and red or pink markers.

Members of the Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church Japanese School Takio Group called the event to order with the sounds of their drums. Their music filled the air in the park with sounds of the Japanese culture.

Health specialist Denise Dador from ABC 7 Eyewitness News welcomed everyone to the Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival. She is honored to be here again this year. Her daughter was busy at the Tanabata Festival booth making paper flowers. They are looking for to enjoying the delicious Japanese food too.

Mayor Teresa Real Sebastian, Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Lam, Councilmember Hans Liang, Councilmember Mitch Ing and City Clerk Vince Chang joined Denise Dador on the stage.

Mayor Real Sebastian thanked all of coming to celebrate our 20th Cherry Blossom event. She said that Councilmember Peter Chan was out of town so he could not be here today. He sends his best wishes. She thanked the committee. Enjoy your weekend!

Mayor Pro Tem Lam thanked everyone for sharing in one of our many cultural events. He listed some of other events that included the Lunar New Year, Cinco de Mayo and the 4th of July.

Councilmember Liang welcomed the guests to the Monterey Park’s 20th annual event. He thanked the committee for their hard work. He thanked the city staff, the police officers and the firefighters for their support. He congratulated the committee. Have a safe Cherry Blossom Festival and a safe Earth Day Festival!

Councilmember Ing welcomes all to the Cherry Blossom Festival. He spoke about recent his visit to Tokyo with his daughter. He said that city was clean and quite.  He shared his impressions of Tokyo with the audience. He thanked the guests for coming to our city.

City Clerk Chang called it a beautiful day. He was one of the 100 bike riders who enjoyed their ride through our city. Enjoy this Cherry Blossom Festival and Earth Day!

Congressmember Judy Chu said she is happy to be here today. She enjoys the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC. In 1912 the Japanese government gave 3,000 cherry trees to the US government. They are planted around the city. When the trees are in bloom it brings up the city. She thanked the volunteers. This event began in the 1970s and has been back again for 20 years. It is a tremendous event by volunteers. She presented the committee a certificate of appreciating.

Consul General Akira Chiba said this is his first time in Monterey Park. He has been in Los Angeles for nine months. He is happy to be here. He will visit Monterey Park to share in the Japanese culture in this community. He thanked all of the volunteers.

He has visited Nachikatsuura, our sister city in Japan. Enjoy your day!

Assemblymember Ed Chau thanked the committee for the Cherry Blossom Festival and Earth Day committee. We need to reduce green house gas levels in Los Angeles. He thanked all of the guests for being here today. He presented proclamations of appreciation to both committee members.

Lawrence Shih from Supervisors Hilda Solis’ office. He thanked the Cherry Blossom committee and the Earth Day committee with proclamations of appreciation for these two special events.

Former Mayor Francisco Alonso, a member of the Nachikatsuura Sister City Commission, remembered serving on the Council when this event was restated years ago. He is glad it has become a community event.

The elected officials presented Denise Dador with a proclamation of appreciation for her service to the community.

The elected officials presented Consul General Akira Chiba with a proclamation of appreciation for joining our community in this special event.

Members of the LA Kimono Club provided the audience with a fashion show. Each model showed off the special features of their kimono. Some kimonos were for daily wear while other kimonos were for special occasions. Some kimonos were made of heavy materials while other kimonos were made of light fabrics depending on the weather. Each model received loud and happy applause.

Trustee Mike Eng welcomed the crowd to the Cherry Blossom Festival and Earth Day Celebration. He presented the Environmental Commissioners: Shirley Hwong,

Karl Wong and Richard Mai with a proclamation for supporting our planet.

School Boardmember Henry Lo told the audience that the Garvey School Board is educating the youth on saving our planet. They are using their bond money to add more energy efficiency to their buildings.

Karl Wong thanked the audience for joining us today to celebrate Earth Day. The event has several booths with ideas on how to recycle to save our planet earth. He thanked the Earth Day sponsors for their support.

Rodney Kageyama thanked Denise Dador for joining us today. She thanked the committee for inviting her to this celebration. She had to leave the event for her segment on the afternoon news.

Members of Yoki Daiko performed on their drums to the delight of the guests. They play joyous drumming to bring positive energy to the world. The sound of love and joy filled the park.

Members of Kotobuki No Kai danced on the indoor stage in traditional dress.

The Cherry Blossom Festival had food booths offering traditional Japanese foods for sale.

The event had booths offering religious support, health support, financial support, education support and informational support from many local agencies.

Many of the booths offered gifts, art, jewelry and more for sale.

The Cherry Blossom Festival and the Earth Day Festival held in Barnes Park was very crowded by local residents, their guests and people who traveled for many miles just to join in the fun.