WE’RE BACK!
It’s the 48th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival!
By: Stacey Shigaya
Saturday, June 25, 11am to 6pm Sunday, June 26, 11am to 4pm
Photos by: Dillon Hinchliffe
Free Admission | Open to the Public Location: Sakura Square, Downtown Denver, Larimer and 19th Streets
C H E R RY B L O S S O M D E N V E R . O R G There are a lot of uncertainties in the world today, but one thing you can count on is that the 48th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is back and ready to celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture with everyone! Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple (DBT) and Sakura Foundation, proud co-presenters of the festival, are elated to be back after a twoyear hiatus due to the pandemic. As the largest fundraiser for both organizations, the festival will be blooming with culture, food, entertainment, and shopping. Here’s a sneak peek of the NEW elements: NEW Larimer Street Marketplace Location: Due to construction in the area, the Marketplace has a new location! Larimer Street between 19th and 20th Streets will be brimming with Japanese-themed products from a variety of vendors. You’ll find colorful clothing, tote bags, jewelry, plants, incense, anime figures, Japanese artwork, and much more! Includ-
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June 2022 | Cover Story
ed are eight brand new vendors, a sushi food truck, and the delectable Temple-run food booth! 9Health: 365 will host a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in the Marketplace where you can get a free vaccine or booster, and the National Park Service inform festival goers about their project to archive historic Sakura Square. NEW Spot for Beer and Sake: Thirst-quenching Asahi beer and Jagged Mountain Brewery’s craft beer will be back and conveniently located in the Larimer Street Marketplace near the food booths. Other beverages available are limited-edition Cherry Blossom La Croix sparkling water, assorted pop, and bottled water. The popular sake booth from JFC International (Japanese rice wine) has also moved to the Marketplace. NEW Dining Locations: Once you have your scrumptious food in hand, there are three areas to sit and dine – in the Live Stage area, in the open plaza facing 19th Street,
and under the Temple using the 20th Street alley entrance (in the cool shade). The Temple gym will be open to purchase food, beverages, beer, and festival-branded tote bags but will not be open for seating. Temple-prepared food can also be purchased in the Marketplace and in front of the Temple on Lawrence Street. Temple food, beer, and beverage booths will accept credit cards. There will also be two ATMs available on-site. Many beloved favorite elements will be back! The Live Stage will be dazzling audiences again with dancing, music, martial arts demonstration and the popular exhilarating beats of taiko drums from Denver Taiko, One World Taiko, Mirai Daiko, and Taiko with Toni! It’s not a festival without the tasty Japanese food prepared by the talented and dedicated Temple volunteers! Mouth-watering grilled
