Full lineup of events at Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Activities at the eight venues take place at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. unless indicated otherwise. The schedule and times are subject to change. Activities are free unless noted otherwise.
Church Row Park – Hwy. 19
- Historical cherry tree displays by the Waimea Lions Club and event t-shirts for sale; lost and found station
- Hula, taiko drumming, Chinese lion dance and more, 9:30 a.m.-pau
- Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club offers a display and sale of bonsai, demonstrations and a clinic
- Kamuela Hongwanji members will have blooming cherry tree branches and tree sales, plus food (nishime bento, chichi mochi, andagi and chili/rice bowl)
- Hawaii Island chefs will offer cooking demonstrations with free samples on the hour at Kamuela Hongwanji, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Vegetable and fruit carving instruction for beginners, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Open House at Kamuela Hongwanji with Rev. Masanari Yamagishi explaining Shin Buddhism rituals
- Urasenke Hilo Assoc. performs a traditional Japanese tea ceremony on the hour starting from 9:30 a.m. with the last ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
Parker Ranch Center – Hwy. 19
- The center’s back parking lot will have an entertainment stage with a 9 a.m. blessing to open the festival. Dignitaries, including the Japan Consul General Yutaka Aoki, will attend. Entertainment will continue throughout the day until 3 p.m. There will also be over 50 crafters in the area.
- The public can take part in the Japanese tradition of mochi pounding with members of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple outside the Fireside Food Court from 10 a.m. (samples too)
- Learn the art of origami in the Fireside Food Court, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and enjoy a bon dance demo, noon-1 p.m., near Graciela’s Beauty Salon
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