Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival -
10 am - 5 pm
The 2014 Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, in its 6th year, will take place from 10 am to 5 pm at the Public Square in Downtown Nashville.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is a FREE family-friendly celebration of Japanese culture in the heart of Music City featuring traditional Japanese music, arts & crafts, origami, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese food booths, local Nashville food trucks, entertainment, and much more!
The festival is a joint undertaking of the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the Consulate-General of Japan, and the Office of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. All proceeds of the Festival benefit the mission to plant 1000 cherry trees - 100 each spring over 10 years - to help beautify Nashville's landscape.
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, have been a symbol of US-Japan friendship since the Mayor of Tokyo donated cherry blossom trees to Washington DC in 1912. Cherry blossom festivals, or sakura matsuri, are celebrated every spring all over the United States.
Features of this year's festival include:
- The return of Kaminari Taiko! Experience the excitement of traditional Japanese taiko drums throughout the day.
- First annual "Pups in Pink Parade" with the Nashville Humane Association.
- CosPlay Contest sponsored by the Middle TN Anime Convention (MTAC) with Grand Prize of airfare to Japan provided by ANA (All Nippon Airways) & United Airlines!
- "Taste of Japan" food vendors on the Public Square and, on 3rd Avenue, the famous Nashville food trucks - with specially created Japanese menu options!
- Artist's Avenue featuring Japan-inspired work by local artists.
- Opportunities to learn about Japanese culture first-hand at the Consulate's informative and fun Lecture Series!
- Shopping for unique Japanese items at the Ginza Marketplace!
- Sumo Wrestling for adults and kids presented by Nationwide Insurance.
- Martial Arts demonstrations at the Blossom Bistro Stage!
- Children's activities including a Hello Kitty Bouncehouse, origami, arts & crafts and more in the newly created J-Funland!
- And much, much more!! ~~~
Nashville Cherry Blossom Walk - 9 am
Preceding the festival is the Nashville Cherry Blossom Walk at 9 am sponsored by Sister-Cities of Nashville and the Japan-America Society of TN. The Walk is FREE & open to the public and will be led by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Consul General of Japan Motohiko Kato. Commemorative T-shirts, food & drinks will be available to purchase and proceeds will benefit the sponsoring organizations. No registration is required.
For more information about the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival and Walk, including the Festival Schedule, please visit the official festival website here.
