2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
The Tennessee World Affairs Council regularly provides announcements of community events that may be of interest to our members. Today we’re pleased to share details about the 2016 Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival. Don’t miss this special program, a celebration of spring and the strong ties between the United States and Japan.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — We encourage our members and friends to volunteer with the festival organizers — they always need a few good people to lend a hand. [Link For Volunteer Info]
NASHVILLE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE 800 CHERRY TREES IN 2016
Japan’s Consul General Kinefuchi and Nashville’s Mayor Barry to lead “Sakura Walk”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2016 Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, in its 8th year, will celebrate the planting of more than 800 Japanese Cherry Blossom trees over 8 years throughout our city’s parks and neighborhoods as it opens on the front lawn of the Metro Courthouse, Saturday, April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, have been a symbol of U.S.-Japan friendship since the Mayor of Tokyo donated 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., in 1912. Today, cherry blossom festivals, or sakura matsuri, are celebrated every spring all over the United States.
Nashville’s annual festival is a family-friendly, daylong celebration of spring and Japanese culture in the heart of Music City. The steps and front lawn of the Metro Courthouse offer a prime location for the event which begins with the Cherry Blossom Walk, hosted by Sister Cities of Nashville, at 9:00 a.m. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and the Consul General of Japan in Nashville, Masami Kinefuchi, will lead the Walk. The 2.5-mile course begins and ends at Nashville’s Public Square, the site of the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival. The Walk is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The course follows the Cumberland River Greenway, looping at Sister Cities’ Magdeburg Connector to Morgan Park in Germantown.
Kaminari Taiko of Houston will open the festival on the Main Stage at 10:00 a.m. Throughout the day, the Main Stage will feature more taiko drumming, Japanese music and dance performances, a Cosplay Contest and the 3rd Annual Pups in Pink Parade and Adoption Parade, benefitting the Nashville Humane Association.
A more intimate stage on the lawn, the Blossom Bistro Stage, will showcase martial arts demonstrations, a traditional tea ceremony and more Japanese-inspired song and dance. A cultural lecture series will take place all day on the Observation Deck of the Founders’ Towers.
Festival goers can also enjoy a “Taste of Japan” from the offerings of Japanese food vendors and some of Nashville’s favorite food trucks with special menus designed just for the festival; shopping at the “Ginza Marketplace” and “Artist Avenue”; sumo-suit matches; and a TapSnap Photo Booth and a variety of children’s and anime activities in the “Arts & Culture” and “J-Funland” areas. New this year: Karaoke in the Sakura Café, and a lounge provided by Baby+Company for young children and their parents.
Free parking and shuttle service will be available at Nissan Field, and Walk Bike Nashville will be returning to the corner of 3rd and Union with their bike valet service. Coming soon will be an Everfest mobile app with the Festival schedule, map, and event details.
The 2016 celebration will also include other special events throughout the “Sakura Season” in the weeks prior to the festival.
The Cherry Blossom Festival project is a joint undertaking of the nonprofit Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and the Nashville Mayor’s Office and the government of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, with primary funding provided by civic-minded corporate sponsors and individual donors. An Advisory Council led by Co-Chairs Clay and Cathy Jackson and a working committee of active community volunteers provide essential support for the annual celebration.
For more information, please visit www.nashvillecherryblossomfestival.org.
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL FACT SHEET
TN WAC NOTE:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — We encourage our members and friends to volunteer with the festival organizers — they always need a few good people to lend a hand. [Link For Volunteer Info]
The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a nonprofit (501c3), nonpartisan educational charity based in Nashville that works to build understanding of global issues in our communities. Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org