Saturday & Sunday April 9-10 and April 16-17, 2011

The 2011 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, now celebrating its 44th year, is one of California's most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco’s Japantown.

The festival will be held on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets in San Francisco’s Japantown. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on April 17, beginning at City Hall and concluding in Japantown.

Japan Relief 速報：Okonomi-yaki for Japan! This year, the 2011 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival hosts a new booth for disaster relief. Under the strict supervision of okonomi-yaki Iron Chef (and Deputy Consul General) Harada, seen practicing ahead of time with lead organizer Diane Matsuda of JCCNC, community leaders and volunteers will be hovering over the sizzling teppan to serve up Kansai okonomi-yaki for the duration of the festival. All proceeds will go to the Consulate relief fund for Japan. ほんまにおいしいで〜！There will be additional opportunities to donate to Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts throughout the festival.

Festival events include Earthquake Relief Night on Friday, April 15th, a fundraising event including food, drink and entertainment organized by the 2011 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Proceeds from this event will go to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

Location:
Kabuki Hotel
1625 Post Street, Japantown
San Francisco
[Map]

Date & Time:
Friday, April 15, 2011
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Cost:
All are welcome; cost is $35 at the door. For additional information, please contact Seiko Fujimoto at sfdento@yahoo.co.jp.

For more information about the festival, please visit the official Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival website.