Cherry Blossom Festival

The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 at Nashville’s Public Square. The Festival is a family-friendly celebration of Japanese culture, featuring traditional Japanese performances, crafts, food booths, children’s activities and more. Organized and sponsored by Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and the Office of Mayor Karl Dean, Festival proceeds benefit the mission to plant 1,000 cherry trees – 100 each spring for 10 years – to help beautify Nashville’s landscape.

The 2.5 mile Cherry Blossom Festival Walk, organized in partnership with Sister Cities of Nashville, will kick off at 9 a.m. led by Mayor Karl Dean and Consul General of Japan Motohiko Kato. The Walk will begin and end at the Public Square.

Immediately following the Walk, the Main Stage will open on the front steps of the Metro Courthouse with music and performances. A second stage will feature martial arts. From 10 a.m.  to 4 p.m., other Festival highlights will include demonstrations of Japanese art and culture, Ginza Marketplace wares for sale by vendors and artists, TACA-member artwork,  J-Pop Land full of youth-oriented Japanese products, a Taste of Japan from favorite area restaurants, sumo-suit dress-ups back for the 3rd year and a CosPlay Contest.

Limited Edition 2013 Commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to cherry trees purchases and defray festival costs.  Tax-deductible donations in support of the Festival and Planting Project will also be accepted on-site as well as on-line.

Find out more about volunteering or attending this year’s festival at www.nashvillecherryblossomfestival.org