Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
There’s no need to go all the way to D.C. to experience the warmth of a Cherry Blossom Festival. The City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation department hosted its annual Cherry Blossom Festival on the weekends of March 29-30 and April 5-6 at Red Wing Park.
From families pushing their strollers to friends having a picnic, the festival brings everyone together to stop and connect with the surrounding nature. Walking around, visitors can find people with dogs, food, balls, picnic blankets, roller skates and even beach chairs.
Many police officers on the road redirect traffic as visitors enter the park. There is an accessible parking lot in the front and general parking in the back.
To get to the festival from the parking lot, visitors get to walk under the Cherry Blossom Tree path or along the sidewalk if they need accessibility. Many visitors stop on the path to hang out, take pictures or sit down to relax under the trees.
Attending the festival right when it starts is a good tip, as the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom typically only lasts up to two weeks before the trees turn green.
Luna Zaragoza Mendoza, a high school senior, had a picnic with her friends under the trees. They brought blankets, a soccer ball and donuts to spend the afternoon.
Mendoza’s picnic was reminiscent of “Hanami,” a Japanese tradition where people picnic under cherry blossom trees to celebrate spring.
Mendoza said she attended the festival for the past five years.
“I was a big fan of anime growing up, so seeing that being portrayed, and also it’s really pretty and pink,” Mendoza said.
Colorful flags guide the visitor’s way to the festival’s main attractions, giving an extra glimpse of color to the festival.
Walking down the path, the music gets louder. On the big lawn, there is an information table in the center, coffee and food trucks all around, a big center stage with the festival logo and different Japanese-themed booths.
The festival celebrates the goodwill and friendship between the City of Virginia Beach and its sister city Miyazaki in Japan. It features programs that promote the rich culture and beauty of Japanese music and art.
Elizabeth Kemper, event manager for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, has been running the festival for two years. Kemper said they bring in cultural performances and vendors for the event.
“We host different activities that are related to the Japanese culture,” Kemper said. Tea serving and a traditional Asian game called “Mahjong” are just a few examples.
The festival also celebrates the 150 Okame Cherry trees located at Red Wing Park. Kemper said the trees were donated by their sister city, Miyasaki, together with the Japanese Garden also located in the park.
“I used to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival when I lived in the D.C. area, and I just love cherry blossom trees. I think they’re beautiful,” Sarah deRosa, Virginia Wesleyan’s Research and Electronic Resources librarian, said. She visited the festival for the first time this year.
TOP LEFT: Cherry blossom trees bask Red Wing Park in a dreamy pink hue. TOP RIGHT: Triangle Taiko performs Taiko Drum at the festival. BOTTOM LEFT: Kemper (second from left) with Virginia Wesleyan’s Class of 2008 Alumni Terrance Branch (first from right) and event staff stand smiling at the festival. BOTTOM RIGHT: Japanese and American Student Association (JASA) and visitors share traditional Japanese activities.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
“With the Japanese garden, you can kind of immerse yourself in the nature and the feel of how would probably be if you were actually in Japan,” deRosa said.
Donated in 1997, the Japanese Garden is meant to create a serene environment full of calmness.
“There’s a Haniwa, which is a terracotta, a very sacred doll in Japan. And then there’s an Azumaya, it’s a tea house. The red bridge is very iconic in the Japanese culture as well,” Kemper said.
Entering the garden, visitors get to experience Japanese culture while they connect with nature. Barley Tea was served in the Azumaya for guests to enjoy as they walked through the garden.
Entertainment included interactive activities in the booths, martial arts demonstrations, and Radio Taso a short and gentle Japanese exercise routine.
At the booths, visitors could have their names written in Japanese on a bookmark, fold their own origami or learn how to write their names in Japanese.
This year’s edition also featured a Taiko Drum performance, which has not happened since 2019. The performance was by Triangle Taiko, an all volunteer Traditional Japanese Drumming group from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Mendoza visited the festival the week before with her family. “I brought my brother here last week and his cousin, and they were able to take in some of the activities for the kids. They were able to make some beautiful bracelets, grab a book from the library, color, all that fun stuff,” Mendoza said.
Josiah Huff, Mendoza’s friend, attended the festival for the first time this year. “I’d say the beauty is 10 out of 10. You love to see it, especially being in Virginia as another local,” Huff said. He said that Virginia has plenty of great spots, and if you know where to go, you can find the perfect place to enjoy the day.
Originally from the D.C. area, deRosa said she prefers the Virginia Beach festival as it allows for a deeper connection with nature being in a state park instead of the middle of the city.
“They actually have a full Japanese garden there that you can walk through as well, so it’s a much nicer atmosphere,” deRosa said.
The Miyazaki Japanese Garden is open all year around, so there is always the opportunity to learn a little more about the Japanese culture here in Virginia Beach.
Even though the park is about 40 minutes away from campus, this annual festival is a fun way to connect with nature, learn about a different culture and spend time with your friends and family.
Whether you’re a fan of Japanese culture or want to enjoy the beauty around you, the Cherry Blossom Festival offers a reminder that a connection between culture and community can be found a short drive away, no passport or tolls required.
By Duda Bernardo
mdefreitasbernardo@vwu.edu
