After a two-year hiatus, the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Pageant returned April 30-Might 1 to Memorial Park, Quinlan Middle and the Cupertino Senior Middle, and organizers estimate that attendance greater than doubled from the final in-person competition in 2019.
A number of meals court docket cubicles had run by their total weekend’s provide by early afternoon on Saturday and needed to go searching for provides. Recology bins that usually final the weekend had been overflowing earlier than the tip of the primary day of the competition.
Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities Inc. (CTSC) holds the annual competition to honor Cupertino’s sister metropolis of Toyokawa, Japan by sharing Japanese tradition with the group.
The competition marked the return of many favourite performers, displays, nonprofit meals cubicles, and humanities and crafts distributors. In 2021, the competition was held nearly, with solely a fraction of performers capable of be featured.
CTSC tries so as to add one thing new yearly, and the 2022 competition had three vital additions, together with the introduction of Toyokawa’s mascots. The principle mascot is a half fox, half Inari sushi character named Inarin. There have been momentary tattoos in his likeness and a garden cutout for photograph alternatives.
The second addition was a well-attended pop-up exhibit created in partnership with the Cupertino Historic Society. The exhibit featured a number of shows about Toyokawa and its 44-year sister metropolis relationship with Cupertino, together with a photograph sales space and an opportunity to vote for “who wore it greatest” amongst 4 kimono-clad mannequins, dressed by the San Jose Kimono Membership.
Thirdly, a VTA bench painted by CTSC was unveiled on the nook of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Mary Avenue. It was created as each tribute to Toyokawa and in reminiscence of the 9 VTA employees who misplaced their lives in Might 2021, represented by 9 fallen blossoms.
The 2023 competition is about for April 29-30. For extra info, go to www.CupertinoCBF.org
Alysa Sakkas is the top of Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities, Inc.