Embrace the cultures of the Pacific Northwest and cultivate love, peace and understanding of the communities that make up our region at Seattle Center Festál. Join us for Seattle Center Festál: Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26 – 28, at Seattle Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion for a weekend underscoring the deep friendship between Seattle and Japan as it honors the renewal of life with springtime cherry blossoms and Japanese arts.
Discover the cultural roots, contemporary influences and traditions of Japan with performances, exhibits, demonstrations, food and children’s activities. See booming taiko drumming, martial arts, Japanese choral music, calligraphy demonstrations, a traditional tea ceremony, Go lessons, Kimono dress-up and cooking demonstrations. Sample a variety of Japanese fare at the food court complete with the Festival’s own gyudon, curry rice, gourmet dog Japan, Spam rice balls and teas.
This year’s festival theme previews the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo including an invitational ShamTen tournament using a rice server instead of a table tennis paddle, as well as a Hashilympics Chopstick challenge. New and notable to the festival line-up are the Native Dogs of Japan exhibit and Japanese cutlery on display.
For full event details visit cherryblossomfest.org.
Newly added this year is the “Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway.” Guests who obtain a passport inside Seattle Center Armory or by downloading online can collect stamps by attending festivals to be entered to win round-trip air travel for two to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the higher the odds of winning! More information at seattlecenter.com/festal.
Seattle Center Festál highlights the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, the festivals took place earlier in their own ethnic communities. Now, Seattle Center serves as a central place, where festivals invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. This year’s theme, “Love, Peace and Understanding,” is woven throughout 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust.
Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit www.cherryblossomfest.org, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.
