Delaware Park will be the location for the first annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held April 23 through May 4.
The festival will feature 12 days of music, activities, Japanese cultural
presenters and entertainment.
Some events to look forward to are the Japanese Tea Ceremony, which will open
the festival, and the Cherry Blossom Ball.
Buffalo’s own tea teacher, Atsuko Nishida-Mitchell, will demonstrate an
authentic Japanese tea ceremony.
Participants who attend the Cherry Blossom Ball get to wine and dine with event
sponsors and are provided a scenic view of the cherry blossom trees. Tickets
for the ball can be purchased online. The events that are in the Japanese
Garden of Buffalo are free to the public.
Events in the Buffalo History Museum are also free with admission to the
museum.
Japanese culture celebrates early springtime beauty by enjoying blossoms of
cherry trees with picnics, art, music and poetry. In Japan, warm weather
after a cold winter is celebrated, as the edge of warm spring air moves from
south to north.
“Since Buffalo is home to many diverse ethnic groups, in addition to our
Japanese neighbors, we will enjoy cultural performances from many parts of the
world,” said Trudy Stern, chairperson of The Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom
Festival. By Shatai Melvin and Elisabeth
Tate
