On Thurs., April 17, Clark College’s 2014 Sakura Festival will honor the historic ties of friendship between the cities of Vancouver, Washington, and Joyo, Japan.
The festival will begin with opening remarks at 1 p.m. at the Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, which is located next to the Beacock Music Hall on Clark’s main campus. (In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be held in Gaiser Student Center.)
Dignitaries who are scheduled to attend include Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt; John Kageyama, president of America Kotobuki; Tatsuo Ito, executive vice president of SEH America Inc.; and members of the Rotary Club of Joyo. Located within Kyoto Prefecture, Joyo is Vancouver’s official sister city in Japan. In 1990, Kageyama donated the 100 shirofugen cherry trees whose blossoming on the Clark College campus this Sakura Festival celebrates.
The opening ceremony will include a koto performance by Yukiko Vossen and a performance by the Clark College Women’s Ensemble. The koto, a stringed musical instrument, is the national instrument of Japan.
From 2 to 4 p.m., the Sakura celebration will continue in the Gaiser Student Center, where guests will enjoy family-friendly cultural activities including a kimono fashion show, a dance performance by the Clark College Japanese Club, and a taiko drum performance. Refreshments will be served. Information about the Sakura Ceremony is available at www.clark.edu/cc/sakura.
All events are free and open to the public. The Sakura Festival is sponsored by Clark College, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Rotary. For video of last year’s Sakura celebration, visit Clark’s YouTube channel.
Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP) or visit Gaiser Hall room 137.
