In Japan, the centuries-old practice is known as “hanami,” or “flower viewing.” Most specifically, it’s gazing in wonderment at Japan’s unofficial national flower: the cherry blossom.
And on Sunday, April 7, the city of Torrance invites locals to get in on the action with its 11th annual Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival at Columbia Park.
The public is invited to enjoy a picnic under the pink blooms of the ornamental cherry trees as well as live entertainment, crafts and food from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As the weather begins to turn warmer, the Columbia Park trees are also starting to bloom, said Monica Harte, cultural services manager for the city of Torrance. Harte said at least three of the park’s trees are in full bloom and she’s hoping the cooler weather forecast for this weekend doesn’t deter the color display.
“I’ve got my fingers crossed that more of (the trees) will be blossoming,” Harte said in a Tuesday interview.
The festival is a joint effort spearheaded by Torrance’s community services department, Soka Gakkai International, the North Torrance Homeowners Association and the Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild.
The guild, said Harte, charges a fee for the community vendors and then donates proceeds to student scholarships. Soka Gakkai International, a Torrance nonprofit, has donated more than 150 cherry blossom trees to the city, in addition to the trees in Columbia Park, said Harte.
On tap during the cultural festival is Pan-Asian entertainment including taiko drumming, Japanese and Chinese folk dancing and the performance of an aria from the opera “Madame Butterfly.”
Sone Kenko, Los Angeles’ consulate general of Japan will speak along with Torrance Mayor George Chen.
Harte added a first for the festival this year is the introduction of a public art project. In addition to other crafts, families will be invited to paint a tile that will become part of larger art installation, perhaps at one of the city’s libraries or at the cultural arts center, Harte said.
“People can explore their own creative aesthetic,” said Harte. “It’s exciting to be able to launch it at the festival.”
The event’s live entertainment opens with the American and Japanese national anthems performed by the North Torrance High School Choir at 11:15 a.m. and ends with Taiko Drums beginning at 3:30 p.m.
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Free parking and shuttle service are available from the Torrance City Yard, located at 20420 Madrona Ave.
Columbia Park is located at 4045 190th Street.
For more information, visit torranceca.gov.
