The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual week-long event celebrating Spring and Japanese culture. The festival takes place in West Fairmount park where the blooms of thousands of cherry blossoms can be seen on full display, at their peak time of year. Sakura Sunday is the last day of the festival and it concludes the event with performances, food, and vendors. It takes place at Fairmount Park’s Horticulture Center from 10AM-5PM on April 9th, 2017. Entry is $15 a person and children 12 and under are free.
I went to Sakura Sunday with my roommate last year and it was one of my favorite events. The weather just happened to be gorgeous that day after weeks of rain and it was amazing to be outside in the beautiful setting that is Fairmount Park. It’s a very popular event and we had to wait in a fairly long line to get in, but it was worth it. It’s important to note that they only accept admission in cash, so be prepared for that. Many people had to be escorted inside the festival to use the ATM because they did not have cash. There was music in the air and food everywhere. The options ranged from traditional Japanese food to carnival foods like funnel cakes and fried Oreos. So many people were out with their friends, families, or pets, just sitting in the grass and enjoying the atmosphere. Many people wore traditional Japanese outfits while lots of people actually took it upon themselves to dress in Anime costumes. There was a main stage with different acts going on throughout the day, including a martial arts demonstration. We watched a Japanese rock band, a traditional Japanese dance, and a skit where actors in warrior garb fought. There was also another stage in a different area of the park that had karaoke (which I unfortunately missed) and a DJ playing dance music. Visitors are able to tour the Horticulture Center for free and it was very beautiful inside. It was like a giant greenhouse with many different plants and flowers that you can see there all year round. There were also tents everywhere with different vendors, including food, jewelry, and even a Subaru tent where you could win a car.
Some events throughout the day to lookout for this year are the Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade and the Harajuku Fashion Show. It’s a very fun way to celebrate spring and to enjoy the warm weather (hopefully). I had a great time last year and I highly recommend it!