pcmodem wrote:

Immediately after the parade, escorted the three visiting International Queens. After that, escorted the 2008 CB Queen and Court. Two of the visiting international queens were cool, groving out to the music and taking pictures with the kids. Cheers, PCM

Darn, I didn't get to see that. I wasn't quite sure what to do when the parade was over, I kept getting run over by the mass of humanity milling about.
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-=kitakaze=-

bmwracer wrote:

I have gone the last two years with the Q-man...

almost a year gone by already.....

will have to think about this one, i've been corrupted by the authencity of Japan in a good way, cherry blossoms and all, but going to the local SoCal Japanese areas does help when i am craving anything Japanese.

qilver wrote:

will have to think about this one, i've been corrupted by the authencity of Japan in a good way, cherry blossoms and all, but going to the local SoCal Japanese areas does help when i am craving anything Japanese.

Of course, nothing beats the real thing, but you gotta take what you can get.

qilver wrote:

almost a year gone by already..... will have to think about this one, i've been corrupted by the authencity of Japan in a good way, cherry blossoms and all, but going to the local SoCal Japanese areas does help when i am craving anything Japanese.

Don't forget the summer obon festivals too.

One day I'd like to visit China as well, but all of the reports I read about air and water pollution, and the lack of food purity laws scare me.

Hong Kong sounds like a safe bet, good food and sightseeing.


Cheers,
PCM

Here's the link to this years festival:http://nccbf.org/home/

gaijinmark wrote:

Here's the link to this years festival:http://nccbf.org/home/

Will be around as usual for this year's CB Festival.

Trees are blooming late this year, so the ones at Nihonmachi should still be in good shape by the time of the festival.

Due to the bad international economy, lots of groups that normally would come from Japan and elsewhere will not be making the trip.



Gambatte!
-PCM

PCM, do you know how I would be able to join the grand parade? And where to procure a happi coat?

dochira wrote:

PCM, do you know how I would be able to join the grand parade? And where to procure a happi coat?

Doch',
I'll check the posters again in Jtown.

You can buy a happi coat at a few places, like Sanko (near Tanpopo and Benkydo).



Cheers,
PCM

*sigh*
I'm going to miss the parade again.
I'll drag the family up there on Saturday anyway. Say hi to the To-Ken Kai.
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Edit: post should have been posted in the KTSF thread.

OT: I should stop by Japantown to see if I can find the email for the grand parade.

I have to be out of town till the night before the parade, but now that I've seen the George Takei is the grand marshal, I'm going to make myself there even if I'm mostly asleep!
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In all likelihood, I'll just go out there and photograph the events of the two weekends. Probably head out this Saturday and then the Sunday of the Grand Parade.

One of these years, I should take part in the parade, right?

Gah...I may have to work this weekend on Sunday. I'd miss the Queen program!
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^ Kitakaze sighting....!

bmwracer wrote:

^ Kitakaze sighting....!

Haha. I just worked 9 hours today, not too bad.

I do have to work Sunday though, which sucks.
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-=kitakaze=-

Here are the pictures (and some crappy video) I took at the first day of the Cherry Blossom Festival:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy80/

Unfortunately, I won't be there tomorrow, but I will be there all weekend next weekend.

If anyone can help me with the names of the dances being performed, feel free so I can add them to the captions. I can never remember. I didn't get a chance to go into the hotel either to see the koto and tea demos.
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Okay, I'm bringing a notebook this weekend. The captions on my photos are pathetic.
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Here are some of the pics I took at the Grand Parade today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7964354@N04/sets/72157617074148172/

I'll be updating the gallery with more pictures.... and yes, that is George Takei.

dochira wrote:

Here are some of the pics I took at the Grand Parade today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7964354@N04/sets/72157617074148172/ I'll be updating the gallery with more pictures.... and yes, that is George Takei.

The takoyaki pic is the best.

dochira wrote:

Here are some of the pics I took at the Grand Parade today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7964354@N04/sets/72157617074148172/ I'll be updating the gallery with more pictures.... and yes, that is George Takei.

Nice Dochira . Here's my pics of the parade and the rest of the festival in general. Maybe you can help with any inaccuracies.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy80/sets/72157616981421063/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy80/
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-=kitakaze=-