- NEWS Desk Global
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL RETURNS IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is ushering in spring with the 57th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Thousands of people gathered in the city's Japantown on Saturday for the festival's opening ceremony. Organizers describe the event as a celebration of Japanese and Japanese American culture. The festivities on Saturday included live performances, a traditional tea ceremony, and various other cultural traditions.
This year's festival coincides with a gesture of goodwill from the Japanese prime minister, who gifted new cherry blossom trees to the White House. "I think that's a good strong sign of connection between the two countries. And so, even behind me, I have cherry blossom trees in the peace plaza as well as through some of our Buchanan Mall. So it's a good symbol of the community," said Cherry Blossom Festival co-chair Matthew Nagatomi. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center will be hosting additional events throughout the upcoming week, culminating in a parade on April 21st at 1 p.m.