The Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities organization hosted the 40th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Memorial Park on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. Visitors strolled through vibrant booths filled with traditional Japanese artwork, from hand-crafted pottery to colorful handbags, and had the opportunity to learn different Japanese customs, such as origami and calligraphy. Throughout both days, performers put on shows displaying Japanese heritage and culture through taiko, a form of traditional Japanese drumming, martial arts, music, a tea ceremony and more. Additionally, food trucks and non-profit groups sold sushi, bento, ramen, shaved ice, ice cream and mochi.
Inside the Quinlan Community Center, located adjacent to Memorial Park, visitors learned about the art of bonsai trees and ikebana plants, and different music groups put together performances to honor traditional Japanese forms of art and music.
Malisa Suchanya, a vendor at one of the festival booths, sells various trinkets, such as handmade art prints, postcards and enamel pins. As a first-time vendor at the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, Suchanya highlights the lively energy of the event.
“I love the overall vibe of the festival and how spacious it is,” Suchanya said. “I also enjoy that customers are coming in and out and checking out my work. I think it’s just a great experience in general.”
