If you didn't make it out to the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival held April 6-12 in Philadelphia, you missed one of the most enjoyable, beautiful, and entertaining rites of spring. Although the flowers were not as fully realized due to lingering cold weather, the festival was still every bit the celebration of Japanese culture in Philadelphia that thousands of attendees expected.
The centuries-old Japanese celebration of the return of
spring known as ohanami symbolizes the tradition that underpins the spring
festival. Specifically, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival honors Japan's 1926
gift of 1,600 flowering cherry trees to the City of Philadelphia. The Festival
grew out of these beginnings to encompass a series of events in March and April
that are capped off by the festival where food, drink, entertainment and
Japanese culture are on full display.
This year's Festival was a wild success with thousands of
people from across Philadelphia and further afield enjoying the full slate of
performances, exhibits and events for children, adults, and families. From the
unique Noh performance and Blossom Bash to the Annual Gala fundraiser for
maintenance of the trees, a grand time was had by all.
The highlight of the festival was Sakura Sunday, which drew
12,000 people for the second consecutive year. Held among the blossoms at
Fairmount Park's Horticulture Center, the day was overflowing with special
activities and performances, including numerous cultural demonstrations,
crafts, picnicking, dance performances, a fashion show, and much more.
The more than 40 cultural events of the festival brought
everyone together for an annual celebration not only of spring and beautiful
blossoms, but of Japanese culture as well.
As title sponsor, Subaru had a wide presence throughout the
festival with numerous vehicles on display, including the 2015 XV Crosstrek
Hybrid, 2015 Outback and 2015 Forester. The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is a
major cultural project of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.
