The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is back for in-person festivities. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.
After the cancellation of last year’s festival due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, community organizers are planning a full lineup of fun for this year, including free, multi-cultural performing arts, hands-on demonstrations, crafters and food booths.
“This year we’ll be celebrating being able to hold the festival in person again, coming out of the pandemic and being able to return to normalcy,” organizer Morty Carter told the Tribune-Herald.
Normalcy for Waimea means celebrating the tradition of hanami, which translates to “cherry blossom viewing.”
“The core of the event is to enjoy the trees, sit and relax in the park and have a nice day with friends and family,” Carter said.
While the festival is still rooted in hanami, Carter notes that it has incorporated more family-oriented activities and additional cultural practices.
“[Hanami] is still a large part of the festival, but over time there has been a blending of cultures with the diverse melting pot of people who live on the Big Island.”
Events
Festivities will kick off on the main entertainment stage behind the Parker Ranch Center at 9 a.m. with a blessing and introduction of dignitaries, including the Japan Consul General Yutaka Aoki. Bands, solo acts, and dance troupes will continue to take the stage throughout the day.
Parker Ranch will also host a craft fair with over 50 crafters showing their wares in the back parking lot.
Members of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will host the Mochi Tsuki pounding, and participants can also learn the art of origami and bon dance at the Center.
The historic Spencer House will have displays of Japanese dolls and kimonos.
Mana Christian Ohana Church will have a quilt show and craft fair.
The Waimea Historic Corner will have an art exhibition that will include hands-on art activities.
The Waimea Center will be hosting food sampling and demonstrations along with live entertainment.
The Keck Observatory will have solar telescope viewing available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pukalani Stables will host the Kamuela Farmers Market.
Festival activities will also be at various venues stretching through the town’s center.
Church Row Park will be the core, hosting live entertainment like hula, taiko drumming and a Chinese lion dance. There will also be a display and sale of bonsai — as well ongoing demonstrations to discuss the art of bonsai.
The Urasenke Tea Association will host a traditional tea ceremony at the park.
Food demonstrations and other food sales will be available at all locations.
Transportation
Parking is available at Parker Ranch Center, the soccer field across Church Row Park and along Pukalani Street.
Roberts Hawaii offers free shuttle service between Parker Ranch Center, Church Row Park and Pukalani Stables.
General Info
With dozens of events through the day, the free handout, “2023 Festival Activity Lineup,” will be available at all venues to guide festival goers among activities.
In addition, a free 2023 Souvenir Program will also be distributed to showcase the many organizations that put on the festival.
The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is hosted by the Hawaii County Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Section and is a communitywide effort with a dedicated team of volunteers.
“This would not be possible without all the community organizations and individual volunteers helping with planning and running the festival,” Carter said. “Everyone is very excited to be planning the in-person event, and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Those interested in more information on the schedule of events can call 808-961-8706, or visit the Facebook page Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
