Members of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko opened the 15th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival held in Barnes Park in Monterey Park on April 21 and 22. They played their drums and danced to the beat as well as chanted for health and happiness.

Members of Mark Keppel High School Aztec Singers performed a play to the delight of the crowd.

Rodney Kageyama, the emcee, welcomed all to this special event on this beautiful day.

Mayor David Lau welcomed everyone to the 15th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Our Council is committed to culture diversity. We celebrate all of the cultures in Monterey Park.  This festival is the oldest in the area. The Japanese Americans are very active in our city. He thanked the residents for their support.

Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing welcomed all to Barnes Park to celebrate the richness of the Japanese culture. Enjoy this special celebration.

Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian wished everyone a Happy Cherry Blossom Festival. The Japanese culture in so entrenched in Monterey Park. Cherry Blossoms are a sign of spring. Enjoy the event.

Councilmember Anthony Wong joked that the fortune cookies are Japanese style today.  He congratulated the committee for sharing their Japanese culture. Have a beautiful day.

Mayor Lau and the Council introduced Jun Niimi, Consul General of Japan to the audience.  Mr. Niimi plans to help foster relations through participation in various community events throughout Los Angeles and San Diego.

Mayor Lau and the Council introduced Denise Dador to the audience. She is the Channel 7 Eyewitness News Health Specialist and one of the emcees of the festival.

Ms. Dador welcomed everyone to this event. It is a chance to share our cultures.

Senator Ed Hernandez presented proclamations to the city and the committee. He is pleased to represent Monterey Park. Our country is great with diversity to share the cultures with each other.

Miss Kimono LA 2012 Mina Matsumoto and First Runner-Up Miss Kimono LA 2012 Nana Kamimura with their friends dressed for the celebration.

Jun Niimi, Consul General of Japan presented the city with a gift. He spoke about the 3.000 Cherry Blossom trees presented by his government in friendship to the United States government in 1912.  He serves in the Japanese Foreign Service.  He spoke about the strong friendship between the United States and Japan and thanked us for supporting them during the recent tragedy. He is enjoying this celebration that showcases the Japanese culture in a big way. He asked God’s blessing on everyone.

Vince Chang, President of the Chamber said they raised over $3,000 to help the people of Japan.

Members of the Halau Hula ‘a’ ala Anuhea waiting for their turns to entertain the audience with several Polynesian dances.

Other entertainment for the two-day event featured Sumo demonstrations, folk story telling, fashion shows, Sushi demonstrations, magic shows, folk music, Martial Arts demonstrations, folk dances, a traditional tea ceremony and more.

The event included flowers artfully displayed and classes on how to arrange flowers.

A beautiful collection of Kimekomi dolls highlighted the history of Japan.

Origami, the age-old art of folding paper to create sculptures, was displayed as well as demonstrations were available for all.

An International Food Court was one of the most popular sites of the event.  Volunteers from the local schools and service clubs manned the booths.

The Kid Zone featured games and crafts.

McGruff and his friends from Police Explorer #300 greeted the guests and patrolled the grounds.

The festival included crafts and commercial vendors who offered goods and services to all.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is the most popular cultural event in the city. It is enjoyed by several generations of family members and their friends.