Families perusing food trucks, arts and crafts vendors and enjoying exhibits.
With blooming cherry blossoms as the backdrop, the Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival was held at Columbia Park in Torrance on March 29.
The annual event featured food, crafts and performances.
Entertainment on the Main Stage began with music by Umeboshi L.A., a matsuri pop-up band, followed by a mikoshi (portable shrine) procession by Rafu Mutsumi Kai, which is seen every year in the Nisei Week Parade.
Opening remarks were made by Torrance Cultural Services Manager Monica Harte and Mayor George Chen.
Speaking on behalf of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles was Deputy Consul General Naoko Kamitani.
City Councilmember Jon Kaji announced a $100,000 donation from his family to the WWII Japanese American Incarceration Monument (WWII Camp Wall), which will be built at Columbia Park. The gift from Kaji, brother Dr. Troy Kaji and sister Miki Hamill was in memory of their parents, Bruce and Frances Kaji.
Kaji, who encouraged other community members to donate, was joined on stage by Chen and Councilmembers Bridgett Lewis, Sharon Kalani, Aurelio Mattucci and Dr. Jeremy Gerson.
The monument will include the names of more than 125,000 wartime incarcerees.
Also performing on the Main Stage were South Bay Little Angels (traditional Chinese dance), L.A. Koto Ensemble, Fujima Seiyumi Kai (Japanese classical dance), Matsutoyo Kai (shamisen), Sawami (vocalist) and Asano Taiko U.S.
In another section of the festival, visitors saw demonstrations of martial arts by Master Don Wortman, ikebana by Miroku Association, and naginata by Torrance Naginata Dojo. Pikachu was on hand for a dance party and photos.
Food trucks were divided between two zones: Prairie Avenue — Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, 8E8 Thai Street Food, Doskoi Style, Deli Doctor, Chicken King, Kona Ice of Carson, Rice Balls of Fire, Felice Italian; 190th Street — Okamoto, King Kone, Fuego Me Up, Creamy Boys, Bachi Yaki, Italia on the Road.
In addition to arts and crafts vendors, the festival featured information booths staffed by city agencies and nonprofit organizations, including Torrance Sister City Association, which presents its own Japanese cultural festival, Bunka-Sai, in April.
Many festival-goers took the time to admire and take photos of the cherry blossoms around the park.