It’s Sakura Matsuri Time!

Sat. June 17, 11am to 6pm | Sun. June 18, 11am to 4pm

Sakura Square - 1255 19th Street | CherryBlossomDenver.org

FREE Admission and open to the public

The cold weather will soon be gone, making way for sunshine, summer, and celebration of the 49th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival (“Sakura Matsuri” in Japanese)! On June 17 and 18, Sakura Square in downtown Denver will be bustling with activity that highlights Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage!

Stroll along Larimer Street between 19th and 20th Streets and see the many and varied marketplace vendors selling all kinds of Japanese and Japanese-inspired items: artwork, jewelry, anime, stickers, clothing, greeting cards, incense, and much more!

Ready your appetites for the famous food: teriyaki chicken, beef bowl, Asian salad, manju dessert, and SPAM musubi to name a few delectable items! Purchase them in the Temple’s marketplace booth on Larimer Street OR inside the Temple (the entrance faces Lawrence Street). Dine outside in the stage area or use the 20th Street festival entrance to enter the covered dining area.

Cool down with the tasty, specially brewed Sakura craft beer from Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery!

Watch the dazzling display of gifted entertainers on the Live Stage next to Lawrence Street: singers, dancers, taiko drummers, and demonstrations of aikido, judo, and karate! We have some new special, surprise performances this year!

Enjoy family fun in the Kids’ Plaza facing 19th Street with games and crafts! Kids can make a special Father’s Day card or gift!

Special Cherry Blossom Festival SWAG will be for sale in the Sakura Foundation booth, featuring the 2023 festival artwork by talented illustrator Michelle Jing Chan! Look for the booth on Larimer Street.

Co-presented by Sakura Foundation and Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, the festival is the main annual fundraiser for both organizations whose staff and volunteers work hard to bring Japanese and Japanese American culture to life in Denver! Come experience the rich traditions and customs on June 17 and 18 at Sakura Square!

FUKUBUKURO BAGS ARE BACK!!

These Lucky Bags contain a special festival bento (lunch) box, coupons to Dochi (crafted mochi donuts) and Sushi-Rama (Denver’s premiere conveyor belt sushi restaurant) plus LUCKY SURPRISE ITEMS!!

Order your bags online (CherryBlossomDenver.org) and pick them up at the Sakura Foundation booth in the marketplace or buy them at the festival. There is a limited quantity, so get your bag while supplies last!

VOLUNTEER!

It takes months of planning and many volunteers to present the Cherry Blossom Festival each year – we invite YOU to join us!

There are many fun volunteer opportunities to see the festival up close and personal!

Signup today at CherryBlossomDenver.org

(Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.)

2023 Asian American Heroes of Colorado

Congratulations to the 2023 Asian American Heroes of Colorado!

Indira Duggirala

• Co-Chair, South Asian Democrats of Colorado

• First Vice Chair, Colorado Democratic Party

• Director, State Outreach Commission of CDP

Sara Moore

• Executive Director, Colorado Dragon Boat

• Board Member, Denver Film

Tran Nguyen-Wills

• Activist and Community Leader

• Founder, Base Coat Nail Salon

• Board Member, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

Elaine Yang

• Committee Co-Chair, Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival

• Board Member, Asian Girls Ignite

• Former Board Member, Colorado Dragon Boat

Philip Yun

• President, Korean Association of Scholarship Foundation

• Chairman, Board of Directors, Colorado Association of Korean Schools

• Assistant Pastor, Denver Dream Church

Young Hero Award: Brent Sabati

• Board Member, Sakura Foundation

• Board Member, Asian Chamber of Commerce

• Participant, Emerging Leaders Program 50, U.S.-Japan Council

2023 Asian American Hero of Colorado Awards Ceremony

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 10am to 12pm Happy Living and Wellness Center 14015 E Evans Avenue, Aurora

Tickets: General $40 | Student $30 Table of 8 for $300 Get tickets at: www.cacendenver.org

Each year, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the awards ceremony recognizes an extraordinary group of local heroes in May. Hear their inspiring stories as we recognize this year’s awardees over an Asian and sushi brunch.

This year’s awardees were selected by: Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Girls Ignite, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Asian Pacific Development Center, Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, CORE DEI, Sakura Foundation, National Association of Asian American Professionals Colorado.