Dave Ikeda welcomed the guests to the 23rd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival held in Barnes Park on April 15^th and April 16^th. It has been 3 years since our last celebration. Thank you for joining us at this festival. We are sharing our Japanese heritage and culture with all of you.

He introduced Shin Ito and Wayne Kawamoto as the Masters of Ceremonies to the crowd.

Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Wong welcomed everyone to Monterey Park’s Cherry Blossom Festival and Earth Day Celebration. Please enjoy the festivals.

Councilmember Yvonne Yiu welcomed all to the Cherry Blossom Festival. She reminded the audience that Nachikatsurra, Japan is one of our sister cities. She learned the Japanese language in college so she addressed the guests in Japanese. Please enjoy the festival.

Karen Ogawa welcomed everyone to this year’s festival. She and some of the volunteers joined her on stage. The other volunteers are helping guests on the site. Please enjoy the festival.

Members of the Taiko Group sponsored by Saga Granada Park UMC and Japanese Language School preformed several drum songs as the guests enjoyed their beat.

Members of Ken Kanesaka Kimono Fashion Show displayed the special kimono as each outfit was described as their colorful dress that symbolized the Cherry Blossoms and the colors of Japan.

Sakura Kokumai is an American karateka. She won the gold medal in the women’s individual kata event at the 2019 Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru. She represented the United States in the women’s kata event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Mayor Jose Sanchez and his daughter presented Sakura Kokumai with a proclamation for being an Olympic Winner.

Wayne Kawamoto introduced himself as a Magician. He will treat all of you to one of his Magic Shows this afternoon. He showed how Harry Houdini was able to walk through a stone wall.

Shin Ito welcomed everyone to this Cherry Blossom Festival. Please enjoy the good food and the great entertainment.

Irene Cruz said it is a pleasure to be here to celebrate after 3 years of the Pandemic. We are back to celebrate after the mass shootings in Monterey Park. We have had so much sadness and grief. There are no words. She asked for a moment of silence for the victims and their families. It will be a long journey to heal.

Brian Tran, a member of The Asian Law Caucus, welcomed all to the Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival. His firm has set up a Go-Fund-Me that has raised $1 million in donations for the victims and their families. He works to help members of the AAPI community. He thanked the community for their support.

Mayor Jose Sanchez welcomed the guests to Cherry Blossom Festival. Thank you for coming. Please have fun.

Mayor Sanchez presented a proclamation to Irene Cruz for her support of the festival.

Mayor Sanchez presentation to Consul General Kenko Sone for his support of our Cherry Blossom Festival.

Kenko Sone thanked everyone for being here today. He offered us his sympathy for the January tragedy. The Cherry Blossom Festival is here to celebrate Spring and a new year. The Cherry Blossoms bring people together.  Japan and the USA share a tradition. He thanked the city, the committee and the venders for this festival.  He shared that Monterey Park has a sister-city in Nachikatsurra, Japan. You, the residents share your traditions with all of us.

Councilmember Henry Lo welcomed all to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Thank you for being here. He thanked the Parks and the Recreation Departments for this event. He thanked the Fire and Police Departments for keeping us safe. We are also here to celebrate Earth Day. Please enjoy the festival.

City Clerk Maychelle Yee thanked the Japanese residents for sharing their heritage. Please enjoy this event.

City Treasurer Amy Lee welcomed the guests to this festival. She thanked the committee for raising the funds to celebrate in Monterey Park.

Alex Avanesyan from Senator Susan Rubio’s office said he is very happy to be here to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival with us. Senator Rubio was not able to attend today.

Alex Avanesyan presented a proclamation to the city’s elected officials.

Assemblymember Mike Fong welcomed the guests to Monterey Park. We are celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival. He thanked the elected officials. We are celebrating the Japanese culture.

Mike Fong presented proclamations in honor of the event.

Edith Gonzalez from Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office welcomed all to the city. She thanked everyone for their leadership.

Edith Gonzalez presented a proclamation to the elected officials.

Former Mayor Mike Eng welcomed the guests to the Cherry Blossom Festival. He now represents our city on the San Gabriel Valley Water District Board. Today we are celebrating Earth Day. Please see their information booths. Please enjoy the celebrations.

Garvey School Board member Andy Yam said he is very happy to see all of the residents. Please enjoy the festivals.

A group picture of all of the elected officials and their guests.

Former Mayor Francisco Alonso welcomed the guests to the 23^rd Cherry Blossom celebration. He was on the City Council when this first celebration was established. Have a great day.

The festival had many booths offering good food, refreshing drinks, candy, gifts, clothes, books and more.

Wishing trees were available for residents to make donations to the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund for the victims and survivors of the January 21^st tragedy. They also wrote notes about love, healing and more that were attached to the trees for everyone to read.

Children created art works as part of the celebration.

A young woman creating candy art for all to purchase and enjoy.

Monterey Park CERT booth had valuable information for the residents.

Monterey Park Fire Fighters showed the public how to do CPR on their dummies.

The Lions Club had  booth advertising their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Fire Service Day on May 20^th at Fire Station One.

Monterey Park Police Department had an information booth  with very important information for the residents.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library had information booth offering all of their services to the public.

A clown was busy making balloon toys for the guests of all ages.

Two doll displays were exhibited in the gym for the public to enjoy.

David Dao was busy teaching guests how to create Origami art.

Several Japanese dancers performed their art for the many guests in the gym to enjoy.

Hula Dancers were waiting the turn to entertain the guests on the main stage.