The 22nd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Feb. 6 honors longtime contributing festival organizations Waimea Bonyu Kai Bonsai Club and the Waimea Arts Council; both community groups are celebrating landmark anniversaries in 2016. The organizations will be recognized at the festival’s opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on the entertainment stage at the rear of Parker Ranch Center.
The 22nd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Feb. 6 honors longtime contributing festival organizations Waimea Bonyu Kai Bonsai Club and the Waimea Arts Council; both community groups are celebrating landmark anniversaries in 2016. The organizations will be recognized at the festival’s opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on the entertainment stage at the rear of Parker Ranch Center.
The Waimea Bonyu Kai Bonsai Club celebrates its 60th year in 2016. The club has a long relationship with the Cherry Blossom Festival as the club’s sensei (teacher), the late Isami Ishihara, propagated the cherry trees planted in Church Row Park. The club has participated in all festivals.
Marking its 40th year, the Waimea Arts Council is one of the state’s oldest arts organizations. It sponsors a variety of programs, exhibits and visual arts education, plus supports local artists with services.
On of the original participants of the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, Waimea Arts Council’s Fire House Gallery annually presents a cherry blossom-themed art display and invites attendees of all ages to get creative with chalk on the sidewalks winding through Waimea’s Historic Corner.
The Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival annually celebrates the Japanese tradition of viewing the season’s first blooms, called “hanami,” which literally translates to hana, “flower” and mi, “look.” Held the first Saturday of February, the festival includes a variety of activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at multiple venues throughout Waimea.
Info: 961-8706.