Summer Sakura Bash Draws Denver Crowd

Saturday, June 27 – Downtown Denver, Lawrence Street

A vibrant crowd of families and pets lined up along Lawrence Street as the Cherry Blossom Festival opened its gates. The July‑heat hit 94 °F, but festival-goers stayed cool with shaved ice, chilled soda and brief shade breaks.

About the Festival

• Organizers: Tri‑State Denver Buddhist Temple & Sakura Foundation
• Attendance: ~25 000–30 000 visitors annually
• Location: Sakura Square, a historic downtown hub for Japanese‑Americans post‑WWII

History

• 1974: Began as a modest food market to support the temple.
• Evolution: Grown into a full‑scale celebration featuring food, music, and dance.
• Schedule: Originally set for May; moved to June after merging with Obon (ancestor tribute). Though the partnership ended, the June slot stayed.

Highlights

• Food Stalls:
• Teriyaki burgers
• Mochi manju
• SPAM musubi

• Fusion dishes by volunteer chefs

• Music & Dance:
• Enka songs
• Taiko drumming
• Traditional Japanese dances

Upcoming Events

• Sunday, June 28: Another day of festivities will continue the weekend’s energy and community spirit.

Photos from Saturday capture the vibrant atmosphere and the strong sense of community that defines Denver’s Cherry Blossom Festival.